Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine scoliosis, status post lumbar spine fusion, with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The RO denied an increased rating for this condition as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting a higher evaluation under the amended criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of clarity regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current spinal disability and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and her service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disorders are currently evaluated at the 20 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are related to his period of active duty for training, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The VA examinations did not establish a link between current conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted service connection for atrial fibrillation. The claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is being remanded due to lack of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants were denied as he does not meet the legal criteria for these benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with appropriate examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine disability (other than sacroiliitis) are not related to service or any incident therein, and thus denied her claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is causally related to his military service, including noise exposure. The claim for a neck disability was remanded due to lack of evidence and will be addressed in a future decision.

The Board has reopened several claims but denied service connection for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was not established for arthritis of the arms, hands, fibromyalgia, headaches, PTSD, unspecified muscle disability, limited eye sight, depression, or residuals of circumcision.

The Veteran's death was caused by an accidental overdose of medication prescribed for his service-connected PTSD, which is considered a principal cause of death. The appeal for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is now moot due to the grant of service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss and a TDIU claim. The issues of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are part of the pending increased rating claim.

The Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disorders are not service-connected.,Headaches were not found to be related to the Veteran's service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and service connection for a cervical spine condition were denied. His claim to reopen his psychiatric disorder was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain VA examinations for his claimed cervical spine disorder and plantar fasciitis, as well as additional development of the claims.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the bilateral knees and cervical spine, as the previous opinions are deemed inadequate.