Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression), bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and a neck disability have all been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of current ischemic heart disease or any other claimed conditions related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claim was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service for arthritis conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right Achilles tendon disorder, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating for a lumbar spine disability. The other issues are either granted or referred to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of neck, low back, or bilateral foot disabilities and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, low back, and neck disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination in February 2009. The VA examiner did not address private treatment records or provide etiological opinions on the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability (including sleep apnea), low back disability, cranial disability (including a neuro cognitive injury due to concussion), and neck disability. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since the date of his claim on August 5, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders, including degenerative joint disease, are incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals as to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur any of the claimed disabilities during his active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and that there was no evidence of a cervical disorder or bilateral hip/knee/shoulder/ankle disorders related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's Reserve service status and determine if medical examination and opinion are necessary for his claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder radiculopathy, and chronic headaches are all found to be related to her service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the appellant's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).