Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. He will also be scheduled for examinations to address the nature of his cervical spine disorder, right knee replacement with post-traumatic arthritis, lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and stenosis, status-post laminectomy, discectomy, and fusion, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of major depressive disorder during service and MRI results indicating brain abnormalities. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, arthritis (excluding of the left hand and left index finger), lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities are not service-connected, as they were determined to be due to natural aging processes and other risk factors.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension, heart disorder, skin disorder, and cervical spine disorder are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is etiologically related to an injury she sustained during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in July 1993, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and left upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to SMC at the highest level due to his need for aid and attendance, including help with daily activities such as bathing, feeding, dressing, and managing medications. His condition requires substantial care on a daily basis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neuropathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities did not have their onset during service or within one year after separation. The VA examiners found no evidence of a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's muscle contraction headaches have been rated at 30 percent since October 29, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran's daily moderate pain with increased pain for three hours per day and prostrating attacks once a month lasting three to four days without residuals of TBI meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination, including obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's throat disorder and cervical spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not etiologically related to his active duty service and therefore, denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and residuals of a neck injury, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since May 10, 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple sclerosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began within seven years of her separation from service. Service connection is denied for residuals of cervical cancer.

Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral knees.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with no higher ratings granted due to the lack of evidence supporting more severe functional loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for migraine headaches during a hearing before the Board. The remaining issues of TDIU and cervical spine disability will be adjudicated.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and denies service connection for this condition.