Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and thoracolumbar or cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine and bilateral shoulder conditions are not service connected. However, it is as likely as not that her nasal disorder was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and for issuance of a statement of the case on the issue of an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability.

The Veteran's asthma has been granted a 60 percent evaluation from February 11, 2003 to February 26, 2004. The remaining claims have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right foot and cervical spine disabilities do not warrant a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 1, 2001 for service connection of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and multiple joint pain. The Veteran's current sinus disorder was not found to be related to his active service or due to exposure to toxins including CARC paint.

The Board found that the Veteran's sinusitis, neck disability, and low back disability were not related to his military service. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these disabilities and his active duty or National Guard service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current cervical spine injury with compression fracture at C4 is related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant's authorized representative withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease status post lumbar surgery with scar is productive of severe pain and limited motion, warranting a 40 percent rating effective August 1, 2008.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of in-service onset and nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for papillary thyroid cancer, status post thyroidectomy.,The Board has also granted service connection for dissecting ascending aorta as secondary to the previously service-connected papillary thyroid cancer. However, both cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis claims have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected chronic low back strain and bilateral tinnitus, as well as her claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for hearing loss. The decision also addressed issues of service connection for various other conditions.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257.,The Veteran's right knee painful limited motion is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5260.