Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and associated cervical radiculopathy were also rated at 10 percent, effective from January 21, 2011.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left hip radiculopathy, and right hip radiculopathy are service-connected. The Veteran's upper extremity disabilities and hemorrhoids are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, including degenerative changes, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered to be unrelated to service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further proceedings.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical disorder, finding that the Veteran's current cervical disability is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for multilevel degenerative changes in the thoracic spine was withdrawn by the Veteran and thus dismissed.

The Board has decided that there are additional pieces of evidence submitted since the last decision and has ordered a remand for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for neck disability on the basis that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or at any time since service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the evidence does not demonstrate ankylosis or at least 4 weeks of incapacitating episodes during a 12-month period. Therefore, his claim for increased evaluation has been denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected headaches and cervical spine degenerative disc disease ratings.,The Court remanded the issue of TDIU due to the failure to consider whether the appellant is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred in service. Service connection was denied for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to lack of continuity of symptoms within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations to assess his neck disability and low back disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is etiologically related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for migraines remains pending as it was remanded by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability including myofascial pain syndrome of the neck, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and TBI. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been received to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck muscle spasms, and radiculopathy of the hips are all found to be related to his service-connected conditions. His bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to noise exposure in service.,The right shoulder condition is not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, arthritis of the cervical spine, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spinal disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a head injury or cervical spine disorder during service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the diseases are not presumed to be related to his military service.