Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, headache, and psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in service or within one year thereafter, and there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither a disability shown in service nor a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his demise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of an injury or disease during service, nor is there credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorders, left shoulder disorder, and neck disorder. The hiatal hernia was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of active and inactive duty training in the Air Force Reserves, updating VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 11, 2011 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum. The claim for arthritis of multiple joints was remanded and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete service treatment records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical fusion and cervical myelopathy are found to be proximally related to his service-connected left ankle sprain. The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD and a cervical spine disability to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and numbness of the hands is being remanded due to incomplete examination reports. The VA will schedule him for an appropriate examination to determine the etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records from December 2006 to the present. The case will be reviewed again after this additional evidence is obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it was incurred in or related to active service.,Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis, with the benefit of doubt given to the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including lumbar strain, cervical strain with bilateral radiculopathy, right hip strain, and traumatic brain injury. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU prior to September 11, 2008. Additional development is needed due to incomplete examination reports and conflicting employment history.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for voiding dysfunction, as a residual of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, is denied. The RO has granted a 40 percent rating for this disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is denied as there is no legal entitlement to such a date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his thoracic kyphosis and additional development is needed for other issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and opinions from VA examiners.