Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis and spondylolysis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no increase in disability beyond normal progress due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing and to address whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's arthritis of the right great toe claim is also on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine, hips, and knees are not related to his service-connected claw foot and edema. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on the range of motion and symptoms reported.

The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service, including his alleged exposure in an armored tank. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely due to a long-term history of manual labor jobs, multiple injuries, and age-related degeneration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability, combine to form a 60 percent disability rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder warrants a 30 percent evaluation, effective June 22, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right arm and left arm disabilities, as well as psychiatric disorder (listed as depression) and COPD, all secondary to service-connected conditions or other causes. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a cervical spine injury, including cervical radiculopathy at C5 and C6 and involving the left upper extremity, are related to an injury in service and grants service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to his active military service or any incident therein, nor are they due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right or left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which is diagnosed as degenerative joint disease, pre-existed service and did not increase in severity during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy and/or neuropathy, and sleep apnea. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal seeking to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for post-operative cervical rib, left, with scars. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter as the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disk disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a bilateral foot disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to address the issues.