Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, leaving no issues for further consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence of complete paralysis or other signs of severe incomplete paralysis. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, head injury residuals, right hip, left hip, and cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The conditions are considered to have been caused by non-service-related factors.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective September 16, 2005 due to her service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The effective date is the earliest date as of which it is factually ascertainable that an increase in disability had occurred.

The Board granted service connection for depressive disorder effective October 30, 2015. The Veteran's claim was reopened on new evidence and the effective date is set at that time.

The Veteran's initial ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and cervical muscle strain were granted. The remaining claims were denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of his right shoulder tear rotator cuff and granted a rating increase for his nonunited fracture of navicular bone, right foot. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity.,An increased rating of 20 percent is assigned for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant higher initial ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's GERD with sliding hiatal hernia is currently rated at 30 percent prior to July 14, 2014 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's cervical somatic dysfunction remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including stenosis of the cervical spine, was incurred in service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a chronic low back and cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder arthritis, residuals of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle arthritis, right knee arthritis, and right hip arthritis, have not been substantiated by the evidence of record. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had onset during active service or are otherwise related to such service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not etiologically related to his active service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions did not manifest during or as a result of service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, chronic low back pain, and right bunionectomy with residual scar. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and grants service connection for this condition.