Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities, including GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Cold sores have been diagnosed since service and are attributed to herpes simplex type 1. Service connection has been established for psoriasis, but no service connection has been granted for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's service connection for GAD and Depressive Disorder NOS, as well as psoriasis, has been granted. The heart murmur noted at service separation is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. Service connection for cold sores/herpes, peripheral vestibular disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, joint pain in the hips, knees, elbows, fingers, toes, neck, and spine (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), muscle pain in the neck and upper and lower back (claimed as due to Gulf War illness), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder claimed as due to Gulf War illness, and sleep disturbances claimed as due to Gulf War illness have also been granted. The 60 percent disability rating for seborrheic dermatitis has been restored.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection. The cervical spine disability, allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and psychiatric disorder to include major depressive disorder are all found not to be related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral hip disorder as secondary to a service-connected right knee condition. The Board found no evidence of these conditions during service or related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease was granted effective October 24, 2011.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for cervical spinal canal stenosis should be October 31, 2003.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board granted a higher initial rating for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy, with an effective date prior to December 13, 2010.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst resulted in pain and limited motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The ankle disability was rated at 10 percent for moderate limitation of motion. Both back and neck disabilities were also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation counseling folder.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, assigning a 30 percent rating effective January 9, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches have been granted service connection, with the cervical spine disability being related to multiple airborne jumps during active duty.,Headaches are secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for his cervical spine disorder is pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding his employment status and functional limitations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have onset during active service or within one year of discharge, and are not otherwise etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service and no competent medical evidence linking the current cervical spine disability to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronic or continuous symptoms of these conditions during active duty or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and a travel board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for cervical spine disability is dismissed as his claim was not timely appealed.

The Veteran's cold injury residuals were granted effective January 23, 2007. The rating assigned is 30 percent for both the left and right feet prior to this date.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including a herniated disk, was incurred in service and granted service connection. The claim for sciatica was not supported by evidence of current disability or link to service.