Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, chronic cervical strain disorder, and anthracosis of the lungs. The Veteran's claims for a right knee disorder and bilateral hip disorders are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and an addendum opinion addressing the appellant's claims under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have GERD or a neck disability that is etiologically related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, prior to February 11, 2008 and since May 1, 2008, more nearly approximates the functional equivalent of forward flexion of 15 degrees or less.

The Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability that is attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. As a result, the appeal for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is causally related to, or aggravated by, an event, injury, or disease in service. The same applies to his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to her inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety or depression, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the claimed conditions did not have a direct link to his military service and no presumption of service connection was established.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment prior to February 27, 2014. Since February 27, 2014, the combined effect of his bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spondylosis, and left arm radiculopathy, when evaluated in association with his educational attainment and occupational experience, preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraines, to include as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability, has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, hypertension, a left ankle disorder, restless leg syndrome, a left shoulder disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right knee disorder, hearing loss, and prostate disorder are denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted, with a current effective date of July 27, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and scheduling of a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the St. Petersburg, Florida RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if he needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine with radiculopathy was incurred in service and is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include as secondary to residuals of an epigastric hernia repair, was withdrawn during the hearing. The effective dates for bilateral tinnitus and GERD were denied.,There is no indication that the Veteran submitted a claim prior to September 30, 2003, for service connection for bilateral tinnitus. There is also no indication that he filed a claim prior to June 16, 2008, for service connection for GERD.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip and low back disabilities are not related to his service-connected right knee disability.,There is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus between the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability and his claimed right hip and low back disabilities.