Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder (lumbar spondylosis at L4-5) and a neck disorder (mild neuroforaminal narrowing at C5-6).,Both conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's combined rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The VA examiner found that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the onset of the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral leg disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right olecranon osteophyte existed prior to his entry into active military service and was aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury and treatment.

The Board found that the current back disabilities, including hemangiomas on cervical and thoracic spine and mild disc degeneration and arthritis in the lower back, have been objectively demonstrated. However, there is no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's service, specifically her injury from a portable dental sink falling on her shoulder and upper back during active duty for training.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current cervical spine disorder, and concluded that the Veteran's assertions regarding service connection were not credible. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a cervical injury, kyphotic deformity and disc pathology at C6-7, were incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU rating was denied by the Board, as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as left lower extremity radiculopathy, was denied by the Board. The evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection, a reduction in rating for bilateral hearing loss, and an earlier effective date for his cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to allow clarification of the evidence regarding the March 2010 audiogram and to schedule the Veteran for a travel board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together. The case is therefore being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence, including records of any testing or evaluation conducted to address whether the Veteran suffers from a rheumatologic disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities is service-connected as it is associated with his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy as a component of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right arm disability, an enlarged heart with scarring, and failing eyesight. The Board finds that the issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.,An increased rating for hypertension is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for various knee disabilities, cervical spine fusion, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease. The evidence submitted did not relate to the basis for the prior denial of these claims.