Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include service connection for a neck disability, increased ratings for lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a thoracolumbar spine disability to include arthritis, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and requests an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's spine conditions, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including cancer of the left pharyngeal tonsil, ischemic heart disease, bilateral swelling of the feet, headaches, PTSD, fibromyalgia, gastrointestinal disability to include acid reflux, sleeping disorders to include sleep apnea, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, skin disorder (chloracne), bleeding from the nose and mouth, tinnitus, an upper back and/or neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision does not specify a rating assigned or effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder had its onset during his combat service in Vietnam and is presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability should be granted as service connected.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an SOC addressing his claim for additional reimbursement under the FMP for medical treatment/services rendered in Poland.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions, as well as his bilateral knee injuries with chondromalacia, are currently rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings of 10 percent. The Board finds that these disabilities do not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's cervical disc disease with radiculopathy and headaches is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on the issues of entitlement to service connection for neck and back disabilities prior to a decision being made.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis since November 18, 2004 and denied a higher schedular rating. The extraschedular ratings were also denied. A TDIU rating was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to injuries sustained during combat in Vietnam. The Board also found continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not causally related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide him with a VA examination regarding his psychiatric disorder. The issues of service connection for major depressive disorder, reopening a claim for cervical spine disorder, and increased rating for lumbar spine disability are pending.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in 2013 was denied as the items claimed did not qualify under VA regulations. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information from a VA examiner or designee of the Undersecretary for Health.