Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cervical spine DDD prior to April 4, 2014 is denied. From that date forward, a higher than 20 percent rating is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year thereafter. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a low back disorder and also denied his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate VA examination reports and outstanding records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right great toe disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for low back disability, increased rating for cervical spine strain, and compensable ratings for chronic hypersensitivity of the penis and recurrent right ankle sprain. The claims are dismissed.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues related to the appeal, including those regarding service connection for PTSD and anxiety, evaluations of shoulder conditions, major depressive disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical strain with disc bulging and degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hip, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The current evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right leg, left leg, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not manifested by ankylosis of the spine, incapacitating episodes of at least 6 weeks within any 12 month period, or associated neurological manifestations of the lower extremities or bowel/ bladder manifestations.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine was not incurred in service, nor is it related to a service-connected disability. The migraine headaches are considered secondary to his service-connected Meniere's syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of service connection, TDIU, and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. The current 30% rating is maintained.

The Veteran's claims have been adjudicated multiple times, and the Board is unable to determine which specific issues are still in dispute. The appeal has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with the highest rating of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability from October 1, 2011. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with left arm weakness and left shoulder disorder did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a claim for service connection for sleep apnea, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his treatment records from Elgin AFB.

The Board has determined that there is not new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The issue of cervical spine disorder remains pending and will be remanded.