Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and TMJ dysfunction have been granted. Effective February 9, 2011, he is rated at 100% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the right and left upper extremities, and 80% for Parkinson's disease residuals of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition was not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any current cervical spine disorder or bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is related to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claims for service connection for a cervical spine/neck condition and a head condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include service connection, depression ratings, lumbar spine, right lower extremity neuropathy, cervical spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, but the claim for a separate left shoulder disability and psychiatric disorder remains pending.,The Veteran has submitted evidence that suggests his current disabilities may be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including DDD and thoracolumbar spine disorder are not found to be caused or aggravated by the conditions that were compensated under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 'as if' service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral cataracts and neck disability are not related to his active military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 17, 2012 is being remanded due to its inextricability with his claims for service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders. The case will be adjudicated again after the development of these related issues.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration information, scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the grant of a 100% disability rating for PTSD effective from December 12, 2013. As such, no further action is required on any remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and will re-adjudicate the claim after obtaining all pertinent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle degenerative joint disease is not related to service, but he has a current right great toe fracture with residual degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection was granted for the right great toe disability and cervical spine disability, but denied for the left ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for right hand, right knee, left lower extremity and right lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the New York, New York RO. The Board will decide his claims after affording him this opportunity.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical myelopathy and degenerative joint disease with spinal stenosis, assigning a disability rating of 20 percent effective from the date of the decision.