Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective January 14, 2010. The noncompensable rating for migraines and cervicogenic headaches remains in effect since January 14, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand this case for further development, including an addendum VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, back, left knee, and right wrist disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or are related to such service. The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a low back disability during active duty service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is not related to his active duty service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and broken tailbone. The claims were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence received to reopen the claim for a cervical spine disorder. The Board also found that there is no current diagnosis of a back disorder or broken tailbone.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA orthopedic examination to correct deficiencies in the current cervical spine evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative cervical spondylosis and stenosis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification, including an opinion on whether his condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability. The case will be readjudicated after all necessary development has been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, right arm and headache/dizziness disabilities, back and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral hip, hand, and elbow disabilities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been manifested by subjective complaints of neck pain with objective findings of forward flexion to 40 degrees, which is considered slight limited motion. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and found that the Veteran does not have any residuals of TBI. The claims for service connection for headaches, impairment of concentration and memory remain pending.

The Board finds that there is not clear and unmistakable evidence to support the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hypertension, and his blood pressure readings were within normal limits during service. Therefore, the Board denies the claim.

The Board denied service connection for tonsil, thyroid, neck, low back, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the in-service events. The Veteran's current disorders are considered age-related and unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the healed scar on the right buttock/hip and a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The cervical spine disability is not considered to be related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and is remanding the issues of bilateral shoulder disabilities, chronic fatigue syndrome, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and depressive disorder. The remaining conditions are either already established or not yet determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The preponderance of evidence does not support granting service connection for these disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine was granted a rating of 30 percent from October 7, 2008 to March 25, 2015. The Veteran's ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracic spine was also granted a rating of 30 percent from October 7, 2008 to March 25, 2015. For peptic ulcer (Gastric Bleeding Ulcer and GERD), a 10 percent rating was granted effective March 25, 2015.