Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical dysplasia is denied as there is no current evidence of the condition. The Veteran's psychiatric disability warrants staged increased ratings prior to April 5, 2010 and a rating in excess of 70 percent from that date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected C5-6 cervical ankylosis, status post vertebrae compression fracture was granted effective December 2, 2010.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disability (CAD), and migraine headaches are all found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol abuse. The musculoskeletal disabilities are also found to be related to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The claims for sleep apnea and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and considering all evidence received since November 25, 2008.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were all rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent. The decision did not address any other issues or claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back and cervical spine disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and increased the rating for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right shoulder. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis and DDD were incurred in service, while her thoracolumbar spine disability did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year after service discharge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder, as well as his secondary service connection claims for bilateral knee disorders. The decision also addressed issues related to reopening of previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her psychiatric disability and cervical-thoracic spine disability were denied. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was not adjudicated as it is related to the cervical-thoracic spine disability.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for PTSD, as new and material evidence has been received that suggests a link between the Veteran's current diagnosis of PTSD and an injury sustained during INACDUTRA.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current foraminal stenosis of the cervical spine is related to his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for PTSD and to reopen his claim of service connection for a neck disability. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining service personnel records and VA treatment records.

The Board found that the reductions from 20% to 10% for lumbar strain with degenerative changes and cervical strain with degenerative changes were proper, but not warranted for left tennis elbow or right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine fusion with plate and screws, C5-6, finding that the Veteran's conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it is not related to service or due to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.