Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence was at least evenly balanced as to whether COPD is related to his active duty service, but did not find new and material evidence in support of reopening a claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not currently diagnosed. The Board finds that the evidence does not support service connection for her thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or right shoulder disorders as secondary to her service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for low back, head, and neck disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and retrieval of VA outpatient records. The issues include claims for higher ratings for service-connected right shoulder tendonitis/bursitis, cervical strain, and dorsolumbar strain, as well as an issue regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of her conditions, including consideration of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to deficiencies in the VA examination opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The cervical spine disability claim has been reopened, but no specific theory of service connection was provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and reconstructing medical data. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for a temporary total rating or an extension of such rating beyond June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as left leg atrophy are being remanded for additional development to determine if they are related to his service-connected right buttock gunshot wound.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including schizoaffective disorder and migraine headaches, have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU from January 15, 2008 to August 31, 2015. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether her service-connected psychiatric disorders prevented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current neck and left elbow disabilities are related to repetitive motion trauma and ongoing postural stress sustained in his military occupational specialty as a dentist, both during service and postservice. Therefore, service connection for these disabilities is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that the Veteran's arthritis became manifest to a degree of 10 percent within one year of separation from active service. The TDIU claim is remanded as it may be impacted by this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for benign endocervical epithelium is being remanded as the VA examiner did not perform a necessary pelvic examination and pap smear, which could provide evidence of current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect contact information and scheduling issues for previously scheduled VA examinations and a videoconference hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its onset in active service or within one year thereafter, and is not causally related to such service. The Board also found that it was not caused or aggravated by service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the right ankle disability and did not address service connection issues due to lack of merit.

The case is being remanded to obtain adequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck disability, headaches, and bilateral foot disability. The issues of service connection for these conditions are not currently decided.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further development of the claim.