Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hip, spine, and knee disabilities are not related to his in-service near-fall injury. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.,The VA examiners found no specific diagnoses for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not observed in service or for many years thereafter, and is not related to service or to toxic herbicide exposure. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a dorsal spine disability, degenerative lumbar spine disorder, head injury/traumatic brain injury, memory loss, right ear and eye fluttering, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression), cervical spine disability, left leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, pulmonary disability to include asbestosis, generalized arthritis, right leg disorder to include genu varum of the knee, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The claim is granted as her current disabilities are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining flight physical records and providing an opinion regarding the Veteran's skin conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and preparing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the appellant's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance is being remanded due to the need for a certification regarding the use of her right knee brace, which tends to wear or tear her clothing. The VAMC will review the record and provide a determination.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed herniated disk at L5-S1 and cervical strain are not due to an injury or disease incurred in active service, specifically a fall off a bridge during military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the Board finds no evidence of a current respiratory disorder or eye disability related to service. The Veteran's gastrointestinal and psychiatric conditions are found to be secondary to his spine disabilities.

The Board found that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at entry into service, but the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his right or left knee condition, back disability, and neck disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left upper extremity cervical myelopathy has been rated at 50 percent since September 19, 2013. His right upper extremity cervical myelopathy has also been rated at 50 percent. The temporary total rating and TDIU claims have both been granted.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including right knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral syndrome, cervical muscle sprain, chronic lower back sprain with degenerative joint disease at L5-S1, and right shoulder strain. The RO granted service connection for each condition but assigned initial ratings of 10 percent. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to an effective date earlier than October 19, 2009 for the grant of service connection for his cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's cervical disc syndrome, C6-C7, is found to be proximately due to his service-connected low back strain. The Veteran's headaches are not found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine spondylosis with radiculopathy and thoracolumbar spine strain and spondylosis, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's multiple service-connected right upper extremity disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for varicose veins of the right lower extremity, a neck disability, and degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current lymph node disorder, cervical dysplasia, or skin disorder characterized by cellulitis on the chin and above the eye. The preponderance of evidence is against her claims for service connection in all three instances.

The Veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder that was caused by his service, or that was caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's right (major) radial nerve palsy and medial nerve impairment, carpal tunnel syndrome is shown to be productive of complaints of pain, weakness, and numbness, but not more than moderate incomplete paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia.,The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the right (major) arm, Muscle Group VI is shown to be productive of complaints of pain, and some decreased sensation, but not more than a moderate muscle injury.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.