Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is service-connected as it began during his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, indicating she is satisfied with the decision made and wants to withdraw any remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 10 percent since February 22, 2007. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of cervical spine strain and paranoid schizophrenia, but finds no current disability that can be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headache disorders are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck and low back disability, finding that his current disabilities do not relate to an in-service injury or were not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities are related to service and have granted service connection for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disability did not have its onset during military service, within one year of separation from active duty, and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck injury, including cervical strain and mild DJD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disorder, as well as his cervical spine disorder (including fibrositis and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine), both on the merits.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 6, 2009. From that date, his disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of barotrauma and service connection for residuals of a barotrauma. The underlying claim for service connection is also granted, with the disability being found to have been incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding compensable evaluations for cephalgia prior to August 6, 2013 and evaluation in excess of 30 percent for cephalgia on and after August 6, 2013 has been withdrawn. The issue of service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and cervicalgia is now considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include rating his anxiety and depressive disorder, increased hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, ischemic heart disease, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not manifest in service or within one year after separation from service and is unrelated to service. The Board also determined that the cervical spine disorder was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied service connection for left elbow and upper arm numbness. The Veteran is now entitled to a 10% disability rating for his residuals of traumatic brain injury.