Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims due to issues with cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the receipt of a request for withdrawal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his military service, specifically an injury he sustained during service. The Board also finds in favor of granting service connection for left thumb osteoarthritis and a left elbow disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his disabilities warranted higher initial ratings prior to the effective dates assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left wrist disorder is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C, a right eye disability, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, or a cervical spine disability that is related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is unrelated to service and arthritis did not manifest within the one year presumptive period, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Veteran's periods of service, address procedural deficiencies, and obtain addendum VA medical opinions regarding her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease, cervical degenerative disc disease with spondylosis C3-C7, lumbar degenerative disc disease with neuritis L5-S1, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee degenerative joint disease have been rated as 10 percent each since May 4, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the issues on appeal can be decided. This includes obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of service connection for low back, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are on appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and further examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left wrist disorder is related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hysterectomy was proximately due to her service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia, chronic depression, simple phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 5, 2003 for the grant of service connection for a back disability and neck disability were denied.,Subsequent to the November 1971 rating decision and March 1978 Administrative Decision, there are no claims formal or informal to reopen service connection for a neck and back disability until August 5, 2003.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for cervical spine disability and left cervical radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his service-connected conditions during the period of appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, including as due to exposure to tactical herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The headaches claim was not granted due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks, while the lumbosacral strain claim had no evidence of incapacitating episodes warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities have resulted in a TDIU due to their severity.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted effective from October 16, 2009. The Board finds that an earlier effective date is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current neck condition is etiologically related to his active service. The issue of service connection for a back disability remains pending and will be addressed in a future remand.