Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the possibility of an extraschedular evaluation based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, chronic cervical spine disorder, and migraine headaches were all granted with specific disability ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain relevant treatment records. The claims will be adjudicated again after these actions are completed.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted it, finding new evidence that supports a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The left ankle disability claim is not addressed as it was not part of the original appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical nerve damage and bilateral hip disabilities, finding that his cervical nerve damage was not incurred in or aggravated by service and that his bilateral hip disabilities were secondary to his service-connected PTSD with associated alcohol abuse.

The Veteran's appeal was denied on all issues related to his service-connected conditions, with no new evidence provided that would warrant reopening the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the issues of right upper extremity radiculopathy and prostate cancer are addressed separately. The Board finds that a higher rating for any of these conditions is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including those related to his employment at police and fire departments, worker's compensation claim, and surgeries. A VA examination is also needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for episodic tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and left foot disability are all granted. The issues of new and material evidence for the same conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability had onset during his active service and is granted service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for cervical spine disability, tuberculosis, and eczema of the legs and feet. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his service, including the 1996 fall. The radiculopathy of right upper extremity was also not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hip disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed in this case to determine the nature and severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability, as well as whether it is secondary to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to address these issues.

The Board has decided that the case needs to be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for aid and assistance of others for dressing, bathing, and feeding. Therefore, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are necessary to address the Veteran's service connection claims and her increased rating claim for left ankle disability. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected left ankle disability, as well as to assess whether any diagnosed cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knee, or right leg disabilities are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations related to the Veteran's claimed conditions. The claims will be readjudicated after these developments.