Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain, spurring and superior end-plate changes of the thoracolumbar spine, residuals of a TBI including episodes of syncope, and migraine headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and conducting medical opinions regarding his right knee, right shoulder, and neck conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and her thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted the requested increased ratings for both disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issues of entitlement to service connection for ischemic heart disease and left leg shorter than right leg are also addressed.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, sciatic nerve disease, and loss of sensation in the right leg are denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a cervical spine disability in service or until after service, and the Veteran's current condition is not related to his service-connected low back disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide her with a Board video conference hearing on the issues of service connection for various conditions and increased ratings.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of neck injury and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between his current cervical spondylosis with disc protrusion and his military service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal is not yet decided on its merits.

The claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, shoulder disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, loss of balance and vertigo, chest pain, heart dysrhythmia, and blood clots and phlebitis were denied. The claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability with left-sided numbness had its onset in service and is therefore granted. For his traumatic brain injury, a rating of 10 percent is granted effective from August 4, 2011.

The Veteran does not have any additional disabilities as a result of the March 2006 VA medical treatment, and there is no evidence that such treatment was caused by carelessness, negligence, or lack of proper skill on the part of VA.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracic and cervical spine arthritis, finding that symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is not related to his service and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including COPD, lumbar spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, varicose veins, and weakness in the legs, were denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her service or any service-connected conditions. The claims for these disabilities have therefore been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is directly related to his parachute jump injury during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability, both found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.