Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran seeks service connection for left shoulder, neck, and low back disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical records from the period of August 1975 to August 1999 and to provide addendums to the previous examination opinions.

The Veteran's migraines are found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service connected as it is more likely than not a result of his fall during service, which did not include any neck injury. The Veteran also does not have evidence to support the claim that his current condition is secondary to his service-connected back disability.,Beginning from March 2, 2004, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with L5 spondylolysis and T5 vertebral fracture has been rated at 60 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective April 5, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The combined rating of these conditions meets the criteria for a TDIU as of July 31, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his military service. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease and a cervical spine disability have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Capital Regional Medical Center on September 6, 2012 is denied as the condition was not an emergency and no VA facility was feasibly available.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disability did not have its onset during service or within one year of separation, and is otherwise unrelated to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a spine examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and Epstein Barr Virus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and fibromyalgia are being remanded due to outstanding records from her military service and private healthcare providers.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding private treatment records and further examination is needed for tinnitus.

The Veteran's headaches, right ear disabilities, left ear disease, and back disability are service-connected. The effective date for the increased rating of 20 percent for the back disability is set at April 19, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 1, 2004.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an effective date earlier than March 7, 2013 for the grant of service connection for right ear hearing loss. The Veteran was granted service connection for right ear hearing loss with a noncompensable rating effective from March 7, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including personal assault PTSD claims and VA audiological examination.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar, cervical, hip and knee disabilities and his military service. The appellant did not serve on active duty for 90 days or more, thus making presumptive service connection inapplicable.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending appeals, including those related to cervical spine disorder, liver disorder (including fatty liver), GERD, skin disorder, left knee disorder, gallbladder disorder (including gallstones), erectile dysfunction, IBS, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a right eye disability and depression, as well as his claim to reopen the cervical spine disability were denied. The Veteran was also denied service connection for a left eye disability, gastrointestinal disability, gout, and special monthly pension benefits.