Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at 10 percent prior to November 26, 2013, and at 60 percent afterwards. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the first post-service year. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by exposure to cold temperatures during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hypothyroidism claims. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and assigned a 10% disability rating effective from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and low back disabilities. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board found that the reductions in evaluations for the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were improper, and restored the prior ratings.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowable rating under the diagnostic criteria. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 10 percent. No other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's increased rating claims, service connection claim for shoulder disorders, and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary due to the inadequacy of the most recent VA examination for rating purposes, and thus the case is being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in service, and his current condition is less likely related to any incident during service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hearing loss, lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disease L5-S1, right ankle post-operative residuals, traumatic arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome to allow for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification regarding records requested from the Army National Guard. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, to include as secondary to a cervical spine disability, will be readjudicated after obtaining any necessary information.

Service connection is denied for a left elbow disability.,Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability and post-laminectomy neck disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder rotator cuff strain and associated conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 2, 2009. Effective July 1, 2011, the Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for ulcerative stomatitis, cervical spine disability, and right knee condition. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders, based on continuity of symptoms since service separation. Service connection is also granted for arthritis of the cervical spine under presumptive service connection provisions due to a motor vehicle accident during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to May 11, 2016 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine and erectile dysfunction claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or a service-connected condition.