Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and personnel records. The issues include service connection for various conditions as well as the reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and requesting a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's upper back disorder claim.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's PTSD and anxiety disorder are service-connected, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are not. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 1, 2013.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, evaluated as 10% disabling under Diagnostic Code 5237 (cervical strain), does not manifest any neurological manifestations. Therefore, the claim for separate evaluations for neurological manifestations of cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for the claims of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and right knee disability have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing its decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, but finds that these conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence and a proper opinion provided.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence indicating his service-connected conditions may have worsened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and PTSD are denied. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development due to missing service treatment records from October 2001 to July 2002. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability will be reconsidered after obtaining relevant records.

The Board has determined that service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, status post fusion, is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifested by joint pain and osteoarthritis, to include fibromyalgia; thoracolumbar back and cervical spine disabilities; bilateral leg disability; right and left knee disabilities (other than service-connected left knee scars); an abdominal or gastrointestinal disability; respiratory disability (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis). Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at 20 percent, effective from February 21, 2012. The increased rating for migraine headaches is granted prior to August 25, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney, and therefore the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Veteran's cervical strain is related to military service and the Board has granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine and right knee internal derangement and arthroscopic surgery have been granted a rating in excess of 20 percent. The left knee scar has not met criteria for a compensable evaluation. The open angle glaucoma with toxic keratopathy of both eyes remains at an initial 10 percent disability rating.