Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disorder, to include pain secondary to scoliosis, and herniated discs in the lumbar spine; and entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder to include protruding discs at C6-C7.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to July 15, 2008. From July 15, 2008 to November 7, 2011, the Veteran's disability was rated at 30 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain missing records and conduct a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include increased evaluations for cervical spine strain and thoracolumbar spine strain, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability to his military service, and denied his claim for service connection. For his low back disability, the Board found that it was related to service based on continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for dysphagia was denied as it is part of his GERD with Schatzki's ring. His increased rating claim for cervical spine disability was also denied due to lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or neurologic impairment.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for cervical strain (neck disability) cannot be earlier than September 9, 2009.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective September 30, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for left upper extremity neuropathy associated with the cervical spine disability since September 30, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as residuals of a head injury, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran claims service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he asserts occurred during combat service. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if the current cervical spine disability is related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the North Little Rock RO for scheduling a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's chronic neck pain due to strain is found to have been incurred during service, and the appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, skin disorder, and facet arthropathy of the lumbosacral spine. The initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for each condition. The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), septal deviation, status-post nasal fracture, and a scar on the left fourth finger.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a neck disorder that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claims were previously denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.