Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of his cervical spine disability and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability were granted initial ratings of 10% prior to September 14, 2011. From June 15, 2011 to August 25, 2012, the Veteran was granted a higher rating of 20%. The right knee disability received an initial rating of 10%, effective July 31, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities were granted initial ratings, with the right and left arm disabilities each receiving a separate 20 percent rating effective February 13, 2004.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disorder, which he asserts had its onset during his military service. The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in July 2012 was inadequate and requires an additional opinion to address the Veteran's lay testimony regarding neck pain since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, and thus cannot be granted on a direct basis. The secondary service connection claim for the cervical spine disability is also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder and determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that generalized osteoarthritis, which is hereditary in nature, was incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and migraine headaches claim are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to determine the etiology of her cervical spine disability. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen her migraine headaches claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain are currently rated at 10 percent, with no separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for headaches and herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claim is granted for service connection of cervical myofascial pain syndrome, but denied for service connection of cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated medical records and a corrected address. The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of etiology and service connection determinations for hypertension, calcium deposits of the lungs, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical dysplasia and human papilloma virus (HPV) were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran does not have active malaria, nor any current residuals of malaria. Therefore, he is denied a compensable rating for malaria or residuals of malaria.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, including bipolar affective disorder, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar myositis and right rotator cuff tendonitis. The appeal for the cervical spine disability issue has been withdrawn.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to active service and therefore denies his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes cavus. Therefore, these disabilities have been granted secondary service connection.