Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his personnel file and verifying his service dates, securing STRs related to Reserve service, and conducting verification for alleged stressors. The Veteran also needs examinations for his claimed neck and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck or back disability that was caused by his service. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are due to her military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including panic disorder with agoraphobia) is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose to include sinusitis are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from April 18, 2011 to July 12, 2013. The Board also dismissed the remaining claims for higher ratings and service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, back, and rib cage/chest disabilities are not related to his active service or any service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA eye examination and dose estimate of ionizing radiation exposure during service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and left arm disability to include as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination reports. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities was withdrawn. The claim for headaches, to include migraines, is denied as there is no evidence that the current headache disorder began during or is related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neuropathy disabilities and his military service. The repetitive lifting and handling of heavy objects during active duty are not considered to have caused or aggravated any of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and psychiatric disabilities, including major depression and memory problems, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and skin disabilities based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a TDIU since June 20, 2011. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is considered the primary cause of his current cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for her service-connected cervical spine disability with radiculopathy of the arms, effective from October 10, 2008. She is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and opinions to address the severity of his service-connected psychiatric and muscle disabilities, as well as claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, hip, knee, or ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral foot arthritis is also rated at 10 percent each. The claims are granted.