Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Board has found no current evidence of a disability of the pelvis, right hip, thoracolumbar or cervical spine and/or a disability manifested by sleep disturbance. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not causally or etiologically related to service, including any injury or event therein.

The Veteran's neck disorder and low back disability are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology, severity, and impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with a 20% rating effective from May 1, 2014. The claims of service connection for neck disability, bladder dysfunction, headaches, and left knee DJD are all denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied in the December 2009 Board decision. The new and material evidence submitted since that time relates to a possible secondary relationship between cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy and chest pain during service, which could potentially relate to coronary artery disease.,The Veteran's claim for reopening of his cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy was reopened based on the submission of new evidence suggesting a potential secondary relationship.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn with respect to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a chronic disability manifested by chest pain, hearing loss, PTSD, and a chronic skin disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for glucose intolerance is deferred pending completion of development.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria, resulting in a denial of his claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent from April 18, 2007, to October 21, 2011. The evidence did not show that the range of motion was limited to 15 degrees or less during this period.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is not related to service and denied service connection. The right ear hearing loss claim was remanded for additional examination, but no new rating decision has been issued yet.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2009 was granted. The RO has already granted the Veteran a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability effective from April 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the claims for appropriate medical clarification due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and opinions provided.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 60 percent, effective February 26, 2002. The Board finds that the current rating of 60 percent adequately reflects the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by altered body mechanics related to her service-connected residuals of a stress fracture of the left inferior pubis ramus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including from Mather VA Medical Center. A new VA examination is also required.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including arthritis of the cervical spine and vertigo. The initial rating claim for dysesthesia of the face and scalp associated with occipital neuralgia will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's discharge from military service is a bar to VA benefits due to his guilty plea and conviction for willfully disobeying a lawful command of a superior officer, resulting in a bad conduct discharge. The appellant was not insane at the time of the offense.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been manifested by painful motion, but not to the extent that it warrants a higher rating under VA's rating criteria.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical degenerative disc disease with left upper extremity radiculopathy, is related to his service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.