Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus began during military service and has been continuous since then, granting service connection for this condition. The other issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to October 31, 2011. The most recent VA examination conducted in October 2011 found that the condition warranted a 20 percent evaluation based on muscle spasm and mild to moderate pain with some movements.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that there was no evidence of a penis deformity or erectile dysfunction. The rating for prostate cancer was reduced from 100% to 20%, effective October 1, 2009.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it is related to service-connected left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine. The claims were denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her service-connected right knee disability.,Her left knee disability is not directly related to service, but rather due to overcompensation for the service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective February 20, 2013. Before this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The preponderance of the evidence shows that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right knee, neck, and gastrointestinal disorders but has not granted service connection for any of these conditions.,New evidence submitted since previous decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for right knee, neck, and gastrointestinal disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including a C5 compression fracture, was incurred during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, back disability (as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability), left shoulder disability, and left elbow disability are related to his active service. The Veteran's tinnitus and vision loss do not have onset during active service or are not etiologically related to active service. Adult acne is also not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected low back disability due to inadequate VA compensation examination and opinion. The Veteran needs to be provided with a new VA compensation examination to determine if his cervical spine disorder is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's torticollis of the cervical spine is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current evaluation of 20 percent is appropriate given the evidence showing forward flexion greater than 15 degrees but not less than 30 degrees, and no ankylosis.