Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left foot dermatitis does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under current regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the cervical spine disorder claim, as there was no etiological opinion linking the current condition to military service.,For the lumbar spine disorder, the Board also found no new and material evidence, as the Veteran's statements did not provide any additional information or opinions regarding a link between his military service and the diagnosed condition. The same conclusion was reached for other conditions such as left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left foot, right foot, cardiomegaly, hernia disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, respiratory disorder, cardiac disorder (including hypertension), and epilepsy due to conflicting evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cervical strain due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, but has remanded the issues regarding residuals of a head injury and psychiatric disability (including PTSD).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular accident, erectile dysfunction (secondary to prostate cancer), urinary incontinence (secondary to prostate cancer), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been withdrawn.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability and associated neurological involvement was granted effective June 1, 2005, the day after his separation from service.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine conditions are rated at the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes, and a higher rating is not warranted. The CAD condition has also been appropriately rated.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral ankle disabilities are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for these conditions and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,Service-connected back disability was initially granted a 20% rating, which has been increased to 30% after March 25, 2017. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged prior to that date.,The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10%. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 20%, and no higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.,The VA examinations did not find any link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service jump from a helicopter during combat.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, and remanded the case for further development regarding a cervical neck disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The claims for left ankle, left knee, recurrent chest pain, bilateral shoulder, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any such disabilities are related to service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, stomach disability, facial cellulitis, scalp dermatitis, headache, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's contentions regarding continuous symptoms since service need to be addressed in a new opinion.

The Board has decided that there is not enough evidence to grant service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, and therefore remanded the case for further development.