Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for sleep apnea, finding that he did not submit new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active service and denied the claim.

The Board finds that there is no competent evidence of record relating the Veteran's cervical spine disability to his service in the military.,There is also no competent medical evidence that the Veteran has peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity which is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbosacral spine are not related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and thus, does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date for polyneuropathy of both lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are currently rated at 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no link to service. The VA examination did not find any neck pathology or neurological finding on examinations in service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, erectile dysfunction, and a skin disorder. The claim for residuals of dental trauma was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right elbow disorder in April 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private medical records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders is pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, PTSD, two facial scars, left and right knee conditions, and neuropathy of the upper extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension, finding that there is no evidence of a pre-existing condition in either case.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to February 3, 2009 and 20 percent disabling from that date. The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's anterior neck scar is currently rated as noncompensable prior to February 3, 2009 and 10 percent disabling beginning on that date. The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis is currently rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities can be properly adjudicated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, memory loss, headache, and sleep disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, anal fissure, bilateral knee disorder, or bilateral wrist disorder. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular criteria for a TDIU, and his employment is not prevented by these conditions alone.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not causally related to his active service, but rather developed after a post-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical examination and Social Security Administration records.