Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her cervical spine disability and scoliosis with mild arthritis changes due to incomplete medical opinions and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress. The claim for a neck disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizotypal personality disorder, is granted as service connected. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for IBS, right upper extremity disorder (right shoulder strain), and cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are both currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a respiratory condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee disability. Additional records are needed from SSA, VA treatment records, private doctors, and exposure confirmation. A new medical opinion is required to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his current disability picture.

Service connection granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy.,Service connection granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a cervical spine disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence of record. A new VA examination is needed for both conditions.

The Board dismissed all appeals for increased ratings and effective date claims related to various conditions, including cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, posttraumatic degenerative changes of the right ankle, right shoulder rotator cuff strain/tendonitis, degenerative changes of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, sciatic nerve radiculopathies in both lower extremities, and femoral nerve radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and whether it is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic, cervical, and lumbar spine disabilities due to incomplete STRs and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are currently rated at 20 percent, effective since October 6, 1998. The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for GERD, hypertension, right hip disorder, neck disability, and elbow disability due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, including arthritis, strain, spondylolisthesis, DJD, DDD, radiculopathy, and a total rating for convalescence based on cervical spine surgery. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the potential impact of adjudicating one claim on another.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cataracts (secondary to dry eye syndrome), peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, total disability rating based on individual unemployability, and special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand, right-hand, and bilateral knee conditions. The decision also remanded the Veteran's claim for a left ankle condition due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is not service-connected, and his TDIU claim is granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities preventing him from working.

The Veteran withdrew his claims to reopen the previously denied claims for bronchitis, a cervical spine disorder, and left ear hearing loss, as well as for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss.