Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

Service connection for eczema, sinusitis, and BPV as secondary to tinnitus has been reopened.,Headaches have been granted service connection. The effective date is July 18, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates ranging from March 16, 2001 to January 4, 2008. The conditions were related to his military service and the VA has assigned full ratings (100%) for all granted issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity and manifestations of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease was improperly reduced from 20% to 10%, and the 20% rating is restored. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip disorders, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating of 40 percent for lumbar back disability, effective from July 12, 2016. The claim for increased initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II as due to herbicide agent exposure is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded due to the possibility that the condition has worsened since the last VA examination in July 2016.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic kidney disease is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to the possibility that there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee scar is remanded because there may be new evidence indicating exposure within the territorial waters of Guam or the Republic of Vietnam during his active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for presbyopia is denied as refractive errors are not considered diseases or injuries under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disability due to their proximate relationship to the Veteran's service-connected left above the knee amputation. The Veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for her scar associated with her left above the knee amputation.

The Veteran's cervical strain and right trochanteric tender (bursitis) have been remanded for further evaluation. Service connection is also being remanded for a non-penetrating muscle injury, group XVII (piriformis syndrome).

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals related to service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hip conditions, back and neck disabilities, vision issues, coughing, numbness in arms and legs, migraines, and PTSD. The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeals prior to the decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various spinal and joint conditions due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to service, including strenuous exercises during bootcamp and marching band activities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee arthritis is denied. The cervical spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) are remanded.,Service connection for the cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.

Service connection is granted for a back disability and a neck disability.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause or aggravate his claimed GERD, dysphagia, or right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disabilities are service-connected. However, due to the complexity of her headache condition and its potential secondary relationship with her service-connected conditions, a remand is necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a peripheral vestibular disorder, residuals of a traumatic brain injury, sinus disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The issues are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is being remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's left ankle strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis are also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted on a presumptive basis due to herbicide agent exposure. The appeal for TDIU prior to July 7, 2009 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's asthma is granted on a presumptive basis under the PACT Act. The neck disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, low testosterone level, hypertension, and GERD will be addressed.