Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and associated benefits were granted effective July 21, 2001.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection as they are unable to establish an in-service event, injury, or disease. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of service connection for low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability are inextricably intertwined with these matters.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine is as likely as not related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that a cervical spine disability is related to the Veteran's in-service accident, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his already service-connected right elbow and shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current upper back disability, including cervical spinal stenosis and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, or bone spur of the back that is related to his military service. The VA examiner found no link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Board found no causal link between the Veteran's current cervical strain and service, and denied her claim for service connection. The Board also found no causal link between her current overuse syndrome of the bilateral feet and service, and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's right cervical radiculopathy since July 3, 2014. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disorders as well as an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again with additional evidence and/or development.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability in service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the current condition is not related to service. The Veteran's hypertension was also not shown during active service or for at least one year post-service.,Service connection cannot be granted as there is insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability has been reopened, but the issue remains denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to his current condition. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent for posttraumatic headaches effective from April 13, 2007. The Board also found that referral for an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1) is not warranted in conjunction with the service-connected posttraumatic headaches. Additionally, a TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective date issues are not before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for endocervical polyps and uterine fibroids, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during the appeal period. Service connection was granted for residuals of a hysterectomy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated clinical records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current evaluations for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated assessment of his eligibility for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, given changes in his employment status and combined evaluation.