Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a chest injury, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability was granted. The rating assigned is 0% (noncompensable) for each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain post injury with headaches and radiculopathy, left upper extremity, have not been rated higher than the current 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his right ankle disability and the etiology of his left upper extremity disorder.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal on the issues of service connection for right rotator cuff tendinopathy, cervical spine osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis, and left and right leg cramps.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbar myositis, cervical myositis, and right hip trochanteric bursitis were denied. The maximum assigned rating of 20% was granted for the service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for C5-6 posttraumatic cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease was denied, as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. His claim for service connection for a low back condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an extra-schedular rating and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support entitlement to an extra-schedular rating, as no unusual or exceptional disability picture had been demonstrated. For TDIU, the combined evaluation of 80% met the minimum requirements but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were deemed insufficient for a finding of unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's IBS was granted a 10 percent rating from February 1, 2005 to April 12, 2010 and is not entitled to higher ratings. The Veteran's cervical spine DJD received a 10 percent rating from February 1, 2005 to April 12, 2010 and is not entitled to higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, and left knee based on continuity of symptomatology during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are due to combat stressors. Service connection was also granted for Reiter's syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability, finding that the applicable schedular criteria were adequate to rate the disability under consideration at all points pertinent to this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and consideration of new evidence. The issues regarding his service-connected spine disorders are still under review.

The Veteran's temporomandibular joint disease was rated at 30% effective December 1, 2006.,The Veteran's residuals of left wrist fracture were rated at 10% effective December 1, 2006.,The Veteran's cervical spine strain was rated at 20% effective December 1, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck conditions, as well as his claim for an acquired psychiatric condition. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The VA reduced the Veteran's disability rating for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine with disc disease from 40 percent to 20 percent, effective May 1, 2010. The reduction was proper based on sustained improvement in range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and cervical spine disability are related to his service, with the right foot condition being secondary to a service-connected left foot condition. The decision grants these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.