Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, rheumatic arthritis, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and cervical spine disability. The claim for an increased rating of hemorrhoids was granted to a 20 percent rating effective November 24, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck and back disabilities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service. The evidence suggested possible pre-existing conditions, but no clear and unmistakable evidence was provided to rebut this presumption.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar disorders are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's neck and esophageal disabilities are not deemed to be the result of VA care, but rather due to an unforeseeable event during treatment. The Board finds no fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings for left knee disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection have not been addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed condition.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including right arm numbness and weakness, is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and clarify the relationship between her cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and heart disorder with service. The examiner will need to provide opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current epigastric disorder, vision loss, eye disorder, skin rash, residuals of head trauma, hammertoes, sinusitis, cervical spondylosis or headache disorder that is attributable to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as disc bulging at C5-6 and cervical spondylosis, is service connected due to an injury sustained during active duty for training in September 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disorder and there is no evidence of such condition during service or within one year post-service. The claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is attributable to service, and therefore grants service connection for this disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neck disability and athlete's foot. The Board finds that additional development, including VA examinations, is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her educational and vocational experience, and the Board finds that she is unemployable due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, left calf, left hand, left thumb, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left knee disorders are not service-connected.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a finding of a current disability related to his active service. The Veteran has received an initial compensable rating for tinnitus and a noncompensable rating for right eardrum perforation.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the knees, cervical spine, and low back as not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current thoracic or cervical spine disability related to his military service. The VA examinations and treatment records do not support a finding of nexus between any diagnosed spinal disabilities and service.