Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied service connection for spondylosis of the thoracic spine and DJD/DDD of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for DJD/DDD at L4-5 and L5-S1 was also denied.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether a cervical spine disability began during active duty service and grants the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be properly adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including VA treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a new examination to determine the current nature and severity of his low back disability and whether he has radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's right foot claw toe deformity and right foot neuropathy are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings warranted. The cervical spine/neck disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a spine disorder (cervical and lumbar), residuals of a hernia repair, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders have not presented an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization, so the regular schedular standards are adequate for compensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial rating of 20 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 15, 2011, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is etiologically related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine DJD was denied. The effective date of the grant of service connection for left and right C7 radiculopathy has been granted earlier than April 28, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar-thoracic degenerative spine disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.