Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted, with a noncompensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a 10 percent rating for right elbow tendonitis effective August 2, 2013. The claims for restless leg syndrome, right knee condition, and left knee condition were denied.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the left hip, and nasal fracture with deviated septum have been rated based on their current severity. The scar from the iliac crest bone graft has also been evaluated.,Service connection for residuals of a skull fracture is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an increased evaluation for right ankle degenerative joint disease, but denied entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of a cervical spine injury or TBI in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and tinnitus.

The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities are found to be related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1980. The VA examiner provided medical evidence supporting the link between these conditions and service.

The Board found that a cervical spine disability was incurred in service and granted service connection for it. The lumbar spine, left leg (including ankle and knee disorders), right wrist, right knee, and right arm disabilities were not shown to be related to service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not have onset during active service, was not caused by or worsened by a service-connected back disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's throat cancer is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure in service.,The Veteran's breathing problems are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues with VA examination reports and new claims not yet perfected.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for further medical examination.

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

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective from September 6, 2005, the date following his last day of work due to service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not preclude him from obtaining TDIU. The Veteran appealed the decision regarding his right shoulder disability to the Court, which vacated the portion of the June 2014 Board decision holding that TDIU was not raised by the record.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the criteria for SMC have been met.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental medical opinion and a VA examination to address the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal will be returned to the Board after further consideration.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis of the face and head is found to have started in service, granting service connection. The cervical spine disorder and ischemic heart disease are not connected to service.