Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Board found no evidence of a currently diagnosed bilateral ankle disorder, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, or low back degenerative changes that are related to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, TBI residuals, migraines, vertigo, cervical disorder, and shoulder disorders have been granted. However, the claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The disability is considered to be a congenital defect with superimposed acquired conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service or any presumptive conditions. The examiner found no causal relationship between his lumbar degenerative joint disease and his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, and neck disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her cervical spine disability was granted, and she is currently rated at 10 percent under DC 5242. The VA found that the current range of motion does not meet criteria warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service, including the reported in-service incident during basic training.,A neck disability is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current condition and whether it is related to his active service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, left hip, GERD and chronic sinusitis disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the claim for an increased rating for chronic muscular neck pain, status post cervical strain due to inadequate examination and failure to address flare-ups of neck pain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the claimed disabilities and therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for left wrist disability, back disability, and sinusitis.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical strain, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral tendonitis are not related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development due to the need for a TDIU determination based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned effective from August 29, 2005. The decision does not specify the exact date of effectiveness for the new rating.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of any neck disability, including degenerative disc disease. Additionally, all relevant records from SSA should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right foot fracture is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability meets or approximates the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder injury with degenerative joint disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are rated based on their current manifestations, which do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the service connection for all claimed conditions has been granted, but no higher ratings are warranted.,No effective date earlier than May 16, 2013, is assigned for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis, IBS, and hemorrhoids are related to her service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.