Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was aggravated by a car accident during active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his left upper extremity radiculopathy, which is secondary to degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis, has been granted. The effective date is July 23, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred in or related to her military service. The evidence showed no in-service injury and post-service incidents were more likely responsible for the current condition.

The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for service connection for neck disability, left kidney removal, and right knee disability were denied as no new and material evidence was received.,The request to reopen a claim for service connection for left knee disability was granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of higher ratings for his cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective November 15, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, and alcohol dependence, are currently diagnosed but the Board is unable to determine their etiology without an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran must provide VA with private healthcare provider records and VA treatment records after March 2016. A new VA spine and shoulder examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, with no higher rating warranted due to the lack of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. Service connection for a cervical condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent and there is no indication of nasal polyps. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran's eustachian tube dysfunction with ear infections and hearing loss has been rated as level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its limited extent of involvement on his body.,Service connection was granted for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis, but neither condition has been rated as it is unclear if they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the residuals of inactive cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, including any cervical spine conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his disabilities and their impact on employment. The VA will need to schedule a new examination and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, rhinitis, a neck disability, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine, which could affect the Veteran's claim for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and right knee disabilities, but denied service connection for flat feet, residuals to cold injury for the lower extremities, and residuals to cold injury for the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including reopening of the right shoulder claim and service connection for right elbow and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal of their claim for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including for her respiratory disability (asthma and lung nodules), neck disability, low back disability, and muscle/joint disorder. The Board also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for sinusitis, headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is granted as service-connected. Other conditions are denied.