Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's service records do not support a finding of in-service injury or noise exposure related to his current disabilities. The most probative evidence is against a finding of any current disability due to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not manifest during or as a result of his military service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals, and the Board has dismissed the appeal due to this request.

The Board has determined that the criteria for service connection, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patella tendon repair (knee), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain (back) have not been met during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an updated VA examination and obtaining any updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and hip conditions, as well as headaches, have been granted. The Veteran now has service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, headaches, left hip disabilities, right hip disabilities, and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding no new and material evidence to support it.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his acquired psychiatric disability is not.,The Veteran's hair loss claim has no new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's neck disability claim and TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, an examination, and further development of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after February 2015 examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was reopened and granted. His left shoulder disability rating remains at 20 percent, but he is not entitled to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and ensuring proper notice of the hearing date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disorder and its secondary effects. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain was manifested by a combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees with localized tenderness, resulting in functional loss due to pain or weakness. The Board found that the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent were not met.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, but he is granted TDIU benefits.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence does not support that it manifested during or as a result of active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied the claim on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.