Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder, sinusitis, stomach disorder (GERD), and fibromyalgia are all found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders are also found to be service-connected as secondary to the fibromyalgia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and migraine headaches are not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, along with associated radiculopathy, have been granted increased ratings. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent effective September 26, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from Fort Irwin Army Hospital and Darnall Army hospital, where the Veteran claims he received treatment for his cervical spine disability. The VA is required to obtain these records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations and consideration of the Veteran's claims due to her current residence in Germany.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for tinea pedis and tinea cruris is dismissed. The claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury, including cervical spine/neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right hip disorder, was denied as new and material evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for TBI and cervical spondylosis with headaches, both determined to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for a travel board hearing held at the RO. The Veteran's appeal is currently in process and will be handled expeditiously.

The Veteran's neck disorder is being remanded for a supplemental VA examination to determine if it was aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Appellant is also to be scheduled for a VA medical examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's death was not caused by or a result of her service-connected disabilities, and the Board denied service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disorders may be service connected if they are found to have been aggravated by his pre-existing left knee disorder or due to a car accident in 1966. The VA will need to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine these issues.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed tinnitus, back disability, cervical spine/neck disability, and bilateral foot disability. The appeal is REMANDED for these actions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for tinnitus, PTSD, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and TBI have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records. He must also be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to a car accident in service, but the VA examiner recommends further x-rays. The case is REMANDED for a new examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 29, 2010, for the grant of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is January 29, 2010.

The Board found that the interruption of vocational rehabilitation benefits was proper due to the Veteran's failure to maintain satisfactory conduct and cooperation, as well as his inability to achieve a feasible employment goal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his active service. The thyroid disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure but the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.