Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were found to be service-connected and not warranting an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires further examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine disorder, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral TKA with history of chondromatosis is found to have caused secondary disabilities in his left leg, shoulders, and cervical spine. The left knee has been rated at 30 percent since June 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to service-connected prostate cancer residuals. The Veteran's combined disability picture, including the newly service-connected spinal conditions, is found to prevent substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The claim for psychiatric disability is also inextricably intertwined and will be remanded as well.

The Board granted service connection for myofascial pain syndrome of the thoraco-cervical spine and assigned a noncompensable (zero percent) initial rating, which was later increased to 20 percent effective April 3, 2008. The Veteran's forward flexion of the cervical spine is currently limited to 40 degrees with no evidence of painful motion.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine is rated at 30 percent prior to April 19, 2011 due to forward flexion restricted to 15 degrees or less.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board Videoconference hearing due to her request for such.

The Veteran's PTSD was not found to be related to service, as the in-service stressor was not corroborated.,The cervical spine strain disorder and arthritis were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, and left knee disabilities but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's current disabilities of the neck, low back, and left knee are considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examinations. The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities will be evaluated again.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current right shoulder or cervical spine disorders that were incurred in service. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology since service, and there is no medical opinion linking his current conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded. His claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is also being remanded, but he must first perfect his appeal by filing a Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and headache disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent was assigned for tinnitus and there is no provision for separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for extension of a temporary total rating beyond October 1, 2009, based on a need for convalescence following surgery for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the criteria for an extension were not met due to lack of severe postoperative residuals or immobilization by cast without surgery.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability did not have its onset during service and is not etiologically related to his active duty service or to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The arthritis was noted to have manifested within one year of separation from active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and providing the Veteran with notice of secondary service connection requirements.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be related to a fall during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The left shoulder disability claim has been deferred pending completion of additional VA examination.