Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred at Providence Centralia Hospital is being remanded due to the lack of relevant records. The AOJ will obtain any missing treatment records and daily notes from November 19-20, 2012.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and upper extremity radiculopathy were rated based on their respective conditions, with the right and left upper extremities receiving separate ratings. The Veteran received increased ratings for his upper extremity radiculopathy from September 26, 2014.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and LUE radiculopathy were granted initial ratings of 30 percent effective October 28, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service and was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), back disorder, left and right knee disorders, left lower leg varicose veins, Achilles tendinitis with left ankle sprain and Achilles tendinitis of the right ankle.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy in the upper and lower extremities, but denied service connection for hypertension, GERD, a spinal disorder, and ED. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military noise exposure. Service connection was not established for hypertension or GERD as they are not related to diabetes mellitus. Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity and right lower extremity were granted initial evaluations of 40 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The cervical spine and right shoulder disorders are currently under consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Parkinson's disease and cervical dystonia, both of which were found to be not related to herbicide exposure.,The Veteran was also denied a compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his chronic headaches, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Board found that there was no evidence to support service connection for the claimed conditions, including left shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, and disorders of the nose and/or sinuses. The Veteran's claims were denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective September 19, 2012. The rating reflects limitation of motion and pain but no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including examinations and notice regarding certain aspects of her claims.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and hypertension have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 1, 2009 through November 9, 2010 for a service-connected cervical spine disability was proper.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and evidence. The issues include service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private chiropractic records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The Under Secretary for Benefits will also be consulted regarding whether cervical radiculopathy and neuropathy of the upper extremities are related to radiation exposure or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining post-service private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any left shoulder and/or cervical spine disabilities preexisted active service or were incurred therein. The examiner will also assess whether any current left shoulder and/or cervical spine disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's residuals of T5 compression fracture are related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for a thoracic spine disability. The issues of lumbar and cervical spine disabilities remain pending.