Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was reopened, and service connection is granted. Service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD are also granted with an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for total unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities need to be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional records, provide new medical opinions, and then readjudicate the issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination. A new examination will be conducted by a VA examiner with proper expertise.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, left hip, and neck disabilities. The temporary total rating for convalescence due to treatment of a service-connected left ankle disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are now before the Board.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders, including consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability or left peroneal neuropathy, as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current low back disability including arthritis that is related to service, and thus cannot be granted service connection for this condition.,Similarly, the Board has found no evidence of a current left knee disability including arthritis that can be attributed to service. The Veteran's current left knee disabilities are presumed to have developed post-service.

Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was granted.,The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis prior to September 30, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tendinitis prior to September 30, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.,Since August 22, 2011, the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 30%.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a chest injury, chronic cervical spine pain with limitation of motion from April 11, 2007, and thoracolumbar spine pain with limitation of motion from April 11, 2007 are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine condition, left upper extremity numbness, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition. The evidence shows that these conditions preexisted service but were aggravated by his final period of active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her in-service neck injury. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains pending and will be addressed further.

The Board has granted service connection for a deviated nasal septum, cervical spine disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities, including a bilateral ankle disability, dry eye syndrome, neck disability, and traumatic brain disease, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and tension headaches are not related to his service-connected low back disability, thus denying these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, particularly regarding her cervical spine, bilateral ankle, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.