Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back, neck, and extremity disabilities. The claims for fibromyalgia, cervical strain, spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, shoulder disabilities, and hip disabilities are all being reviewed due to incomplete medical records from her service at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis also require further examination as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his right foot, cervical spine, right hip, and right leg disabilities are granted. The Veteran’s right wrist disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, elbow, and spine disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the initial ratings of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), as well as for the initial rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), have been amended to October 21, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the VA criteria for establishing a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied. The cases of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depression) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, service-connected lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and a headache disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for an additional medical opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to the in-service injury from a rock hitting him in 1985.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 15, 2008 for the grant of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran also did not meet eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle or adaptive equipment and for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injury to the right arm/shoulder and left arm/shoulder, as well as his claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and a 10 percent rating for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination reports, specifically regarding functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left upper extremity disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracic spine disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing specific incidents in the line of duty resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates with respect to his evaluation for tinnitus and hearing loss have been dismissed as a matter of law. The Board has also remanded several issues related to increased evaluations and earlier effective dates for various disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for residuals of a stroke. The claims for an increased rating for cervical spine disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including stenosis and disc disorder with post-fusion surgery and radiculopathy, is related to his service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is required for the Veteran's left knee disability and cervical spine disability, as well as an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right knee disability. The issues of service connection for left knee disability, increased rating for right knee condition, and higher evaluation for degenerative joint and disc disease, thoracolumbar spine with IVDS are being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine if the cervical spine disability is secondary to his shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's increased rating for his left shoulder subluxation is also being remanded.