Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and PTSD have been evaluated, but the evidence does not support ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is related to his in-service low back injuries, and thus service connection for this condition is granted. The issue of secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, cardiovascular disability, and thyroid disability. The disabilities were found not to be related to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for neck, bilateral shoulder, and right elbow disabilities. Service connection was not established for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to injuries sustained during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's occipital headaches are likely secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issues of rating hepatitis C, service connection for right leg disability, and service connection for neck disability are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches are related to his service, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise, meaning about evenly balanced for and against the claim, and grants service connection for a cervical spine disorder (DJD).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and hypertension. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial compensable ratings for right ear hearing loss and scarring of the right shoulder as the appellant withdrew these claims prior to a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, upper back, and headache disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examinations did not find a direct link to service, and the examiner opined that these conditions are less likely than not caused by or related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected based on direct evidence or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and will consider ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA service in addition to active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left leg fracture, left tailbone fracture, and right arm fracture have been withdrawn by his representative.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) (lumbar spine disability), granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability, and did not address the other issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and cervical spine disorders. The Veteran's conditions are found to be causally related to his active duty service.