Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's gynecological disability, including cervical dysplasia and uterine fibroid, is not service-connected as her conditions are more likely related to natural aging processes rather than active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and left hip disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his military service or a service-connected disability. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer. However, the reduction of his cervical spine disability rating from 20% to 10% was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and psychiatric disorder were denied.,Service connection was also denied for allergic rhinitis with chronic sinusitis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective November 30, 2010. His cervical spine disability received a 20% rating effective the same date. The radiculopathy of his lower extremities were each assigned initial noncompensable ratings from February 12, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spinal stenosis, and lumbar foraminotomies are related to an injury he sustained during a period of INACDUTRA in March 1990. As such, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's GERD was found to have its onset during his active service and is therefore granted service connection. The right shoulder disability and neck disability are currently under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various psychiatric, sleep, back, neck, and skin disorders. The evidence did not show any such conditions during or within one year after his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 28, 2009 and at 20 percent from that date. The right knee strain with degenerative changes has been rated at 10 percent since the initial award of service connection in June 2005. The Veteran's right hand fracture was not assigned a compensable rating.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling prior to May 28, 2009 and 40 percent from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spondylosis, bilateral upper extremity disabilities, post-operative gynecomastia, tinnitus, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the left shoulder, rotator cuff tendinopathy of the right shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disc disease is rated at 20 percent since May 24, 2004. His left varicocele does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and cervical spine disorder, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's period of active duty. Service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right arm disability (claimed as neuropathy of the upper right arm) and residuals of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, C3 through C7. The current 20 percent rating for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis is maintained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right elbow disorder and did not find new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for chest pain, PTSD, cervical/thoracic strain, low back strain, residuals of concussion, or conjunctivitis. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current back or neck disorder present during service, and concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for blurred vision and a neck disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issues of arthritis of the bilateral knees, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, an eye condition, residuals of a shoulder injury, and fibromyalgia. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for pes planus is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are under consideration.