Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's back and neck complaints, specifically from his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accident, and not due to his service-connected conditions. However, as he had been rated totally disabled for over five years prior to his death, the claimant is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for posttraumatic headaches, and concluded that his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis, Adie's tonic syndrome (right eye), nasal deformity, GERD, keratosis, right trapezius muscle spasms (claimed as right shoulder pain), cervical strain, obstructive sleep apnea, thrombosed hemorrhoids, bladder disorder, prostate disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the chin or jaw, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The cervical spine issue will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left fifth finger is denied as there are no criteria met for a higher rating.,Service connection for disability of the cervical spine and neck is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent, effective January 10, 2005. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his DDD of the cervical spine.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a cervical spine strain, including numbness and tingling in the right arm and hand. The Board finds additional development is needed to adjudicate this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, major depressive disorder, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of bilateral arms is found to be proximately due to his service-connected cervical strain, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis, cervical spine disability, and Brown-Sequérd syndrome. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee chondromalacia patella was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a neurological examination to determine the nature and severity of his right shoulder disability and whether it is related to service. The cervical spine issue remains in appellate status.

The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection.,VA medical opinion concluded that the Veteran's neck injury is not related to his military service, and thus service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection and an increased rating are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service records and further development is required.

The Veteran's PTSD is now rated at the maximum 100 percent since June 19, 2006. His other claims are denied.