Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's neck and thoracic spine disabilities were not service-connected. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical strain or coccyx disability, and therefore cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,There is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, TDIU, and service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal due to satisfaction with her current 100 percent combined disability rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee and/or back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck and left leg disabilities and his military service, as well as the potential aggravation of these conditions by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for service-connected cervical and lumbar strain are being remanded to obtain additional VA examination and treatment records, as well as to provide a comprehensive medical opinion regarding the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been denied. The current rating of 10% for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is maintained, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have consistently precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since February 2000, with the exception of a brief period in June 2010 to May 2012 when he was employed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is found to have its onset during active service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and bilateral arm disabilities, finding no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to service.,Specifically, the VA examiner concluded that any cervical condition is more likely related to his previous job in a warehouse than his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and headache disabilities have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for PTSD, stomach disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hand disability, bilateral wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, left knee disability, traumatic head/brain injury, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, or left inguinal hernia, status-post surgical repair is denied.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation grant is pending, and his service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability remains inapplicable as it is not related to the appeal of the housing grant. The Board has ordered remand for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's CTS of the right wrist and neck disability were not incurred in or aggravated by her military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tinnitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches. The Veteran was also denied an earlier effective date for service connection.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease resulted in unfavorable ankylosis involving the entire spine, with difficulty walking due to limited line of vision and restricted mouth opening. The cervical spine degenerative joint disease manifested as unfavorable ankylosis.,Prior to August 17, 2009, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease was rated at 40 percent effective August 17, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to his service-connected residuals of post-surgery nonunion scaphoid bone fracture.