Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a combined 100 percent disability rating, which was granted on September 29, 2006. The appeal is currently in remand status due to unresolved issues regarding the July 1985 decision and clarification of his April 2008 notice of disagreement.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology since discharge. The post-service treatment records do not support a nexus between current symptoms and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, hypoglycemia, a cervical spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, as well as a neck and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hypothyroidism, difficulty breathing, and cervical osteoarthritis (claimed as neck swelling) was denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the effective date for service connection of his cervical spine disability cannot be earlier than February 26, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right arm radial nerve neuropathy, shoulder rotator cuff repair, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, left and right knee surgeries, and GERD. The appeals were addressed in the context of initial ratings assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with bronchitis and traumatic arthritis have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, consistent with his high school education and previous barbering experience.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for mitral valve prolapse and neck disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and consideration of her claims, including service connection for depression.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding post-service X-rays from March 1982. The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a neck injury is pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical and lumbar degenerative changes, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation under either the old or new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbosacral spine is service connected, based on evidence showing it began during his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, but new evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.,Service connection for gouty arthritis is not established as there is no chronicity of symptomatology or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic cervical muscle strain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the current VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional information and records, including SSA records and treatment records from VA. The Veteran's claims for service connection on these issues are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, and a fracture of the left femur, render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a neck disability, manifested by chronic headaches, loss of feeling in the left hand and right hand, and loss of feeling in the left foot and right foot, was granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for a hernia was denied. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from December 8, 2010, was granted. The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disorder characterized by pain, including as secondary to his service-connected muscle tension headaches.