Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on credible assertions and in-service stressors. For the cervical spine and meralgia paresthetica claims, new VA examinations are needed to assess current symptomatology and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right hip DJD is denied as it was not received within one year after separation from service, and the earliest possible effective date is June 21, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's right ear hearing acuity was noted to be within normal limits throughout his military service and post-service evaluations. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and lower back disabilities were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's range of motion was limited, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and supporting documents, as well as VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his service, with chronic pain and limitation of motion prior to any post-service injuries. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating from September 26, 2006. The claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of cervical fusion and bilateral foraminal compromise C5-C6, C6-C7, and degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are causally related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of direct, secondary, and aggravation service connection will be adjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and cervical degenerative disc disease are related to his service, specifically his parachute jumping in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative changes, prior to September 20, 2009, has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes and stenosis, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, prior to April 1, 2010, has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar strains, and a knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cervical strain was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to Board decision.,The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and dyspnea or shortness of breath has been reopened, but further development is needed due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's cervical strain does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion is within the limits that would warrant such a higher rating.