Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's gout, depressive disorder with alcohol abuse in early remission, cognitive disorder NOS, and opioid dependence, DDD and spondylosis of the cervical spine, DDD, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine, with DJD of the thoracic spine, and right knee DJD have been rated based on their respective service-connected conditions. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The TDIU claim is also deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current neuropathy of the left upper extremity, left shoulder condition, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to ensure that all relevant evidence is considered, including obtaining SSA records and VA/VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and the need for further medical opinions on various issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The residuals of a fracture of L1 and cervical strain remain rated at the maximum available levels.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not related to his service-connected jaw surgery and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection appeal for a cervical spine disability with radicular pain and numbness has been granted, as the Board finds that the current condition is related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2010. The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right and left upper extremity disorders are not related to his military service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability that had its onset during or as a result of his active military service. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck condition is not related to her service, including a 2002 injury during ACDUTRA. The VA examiner opined it was unlikely that the Veteran's current cervical spine condition resulted from or aggravated by the 2002 injury.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and cervical spine disorder do not constitute an employment handicap that prevents him from working as a pilot or chiropractor, thus he is not entitled to VA Vocational Rehabilitation services.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a comprehensive examination. The issues of service connection for left median mononeuropathy and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations, and the issues of service connection are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and breast lump. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted.,PTSD was initially granted with a higher rating from July 31, 2007 to November 11, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral knee strain. The ratings for left and right ankle disability have been increased to 20 percent prior to March 31, 2011.