Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and PTSD, as these issues were addressed in a separate REMAND portion of the decision.,Service connection was denied for left foot disability (residuals of injury) and right foot disability (residuals of stress fracture).,Cervical cancer was not shown during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of the thoracic/lumbar spine and cervical spine, which constitutes a complete grant of the benefits sought on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries in a 1985 motor vehicle accident were caused by his own willful misconduct and intoxication, which constitutes a denial of service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for a recurrent cervical spine disorder and an increased rating for low back strain are pending.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current neck, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities to his military service. The claims for these conditions were therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back strain is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a neck disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a right shoulder examination.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his service-connected cervical myositis and traumatic brain injury were denied, but he was granted a maximum rating of 40 percent for his TBI residuals.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for a left ear disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's C5-C6 radiculopathy of the left arm associated with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is rated at 30 percent effective June 2, 2014.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA vocational rehabilitation assessment and ensuring that all procedural requirements are met. The appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, back disability, kidney disability, and hypertension. The Board finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service or to pre-existing disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any disease, injury, exposure, or other event in service. The multilevel lumbar disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as her claimed conditions did not develop during or are otherwise related to her active military service.