Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for pension or special monthly pension benefits due to his unemployability and lack of permanent total disability.

For the period from March 29, 2005 to July 19, 2011, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was manifested by pain and reduced range of motion. The rating assigned is 10 percent.,As of July 20, 2011, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was manifested by pain and increased reduced range of motion. The rating assigned is 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spondylosis was not incurred or aggravated during active duty service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's spinal surgery in July 2009 was related to his service-connected back disability and deemed necessary due to the severity of his symptoms. The treatment received at Providence Swedish Hospital met all criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional examinations and development due to missed scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine stenosis and right ankle degenerative joint disease are being remanded for further examination as the current VA examiner did not address his claims of service connection based on in-service injury or aggravation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability previously characterized as a back strain and granted service connection. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and vision disability are not service-connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his thoracolumbar spine disability has been rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine (claimed as tailbone disability), and basal cell carcinoma were denied. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is related to his military service. The lumbar spine disability claim was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of PTSD, DJD, and cervical spondylosis have been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain with spinal stenosis and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that his current cervical spine disorder with residuals is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal meningitis, hypertension, arthritis (gout), an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a neck disability. The appeals were based on secondary service connection to spinal meningitis.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for posttraumatic headaches, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected cervical spondylosis. The case has been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches have permanently worsened as a result of his cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is found to have caused or aggravated his sciatica, and the Board finds that he has a current disability. The cervical spine and bilateral hip disabilities are also found to be related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability to include the shoulders, finding that there was no evidence of onset in service or current disability caused by or made worse by the service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.