Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for mid-chest pain and shortness of breath is dismissed as the symptoms are already compensated by his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 28, 2007, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and spondylosis, as well as left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, an extraschedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right finger/hand injury, but further development is needed due to ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for VA examinations and rescheduling of previously requested examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for post-operative residuals of fusion of the cervical ribs, thoracic outlet syndrome, right and left upper extremities is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for additional evidence.

Service connection for the thoracolumbar spine disability is granted, with an initial 30 percent rating effective from August 30, 2007. Increased ratings are denied for the cervical spine and PTSD prior to March 7, 2011, as well as TDIU prior to October 13, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for meralgia paresthetica and neuropathy of the right thigh, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, diabetes mellitus type II, and sleep apnea. The effective date is set at April 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted with an effective date of July 20, 2006.

The Veteran's back disorder is at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The VA examinations did not establish a direct link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and determine effective dates.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his former attorney representative indicating he wishes to withdraw the appeals for neck disability, back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus.