Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. However, it denied her claims for service connection for bulimia/anorexia, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, fibrocystic breast disease, right lower leg nerve damage, sinusitis, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol dependence, lumbosacral sprain, cervical sprain with degenerative changes, and neuropathic symptoms of the right lower extremity. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disorders are not service connected.,VA medical records do not document ongoing problems or complaints concerning the hips or cervical spine after the initial trauma.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities are inextricably intertwined with his psychiatric condition claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to cervical spine degenerative intervertebral disc disease with left upper radiculopathy, residuals of left shoulder decompression with impingement, and bilateral knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her cervical spine and right upper extremity disability claims.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) of the cervical and lumbar spine was rated based on its severity, with increased ratings granted for certain periods.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left L5-S1 radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened but remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is at least as likely as not due to his in-service motorcycle injury, weight lifting, and duties as a pilot. Therefore, service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for cervical stenosis with degenerative disc disease and spondylosis from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective February 1, 2013, was improper. The Veteran's service-connected condition remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and disc disease, status post microdiscectomy/fusion with left median neuropathy is not service-connected. The RO denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a fracture of the right acetabulum and right femoral head, as well as his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the requirement of permanent and total disability. The RO proposed to reduce his 100 percent rating for depressive disorder, but a TDIU rating has been granted. The case is being remanded to determine if the current severity of his service-connected disabilities are reasonably certain to continue throughout his life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for hemorrhoids, denied all other claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hearing loss, lumbar spine disability (claimed as scoliosis), atrial fibrillation, AV node ablation, pacemaker/defibrillator dependence, heart murmur, and degeneration of the cervical spine do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headache disorder. The issues on appeal are for service connection.

The Veteran's right ovarian cyst was diagnosed during service and has resulted in atrophy of an ovary. Service connection is granted.,No definite diagnosis of a cyst of the cervix was made during or after service. Service connection is denied.,Current complaints of pelvic pain are attributable to extensive adhesion disease of the pelvis and omentum, unrelated to service. Service connection is denied.,Gas, bloating, and abdominal pain are at least as likely as not related to a service-connected gastrointestinal disorder (IBS). Service connection is granted.,No current chronic cervical spine disability has been diagnosed; the Veteran's cervical strains are episodic, acute injuries. Service connection is denied.

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