Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral cervical metastasis, which he claims is related to his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected status post supracervical total abdominal hysterectomy was denied as the evidence did not support removal of both ovaries, which would be required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issue of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board found that his PTSD warrants a 70 percent disability rating, but not higher.

The Veteran's IVDS of the cervical spine with degenerative changes warrants a 60% rating, effective from May 1, 2014. His radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity do not warrant increased ratings. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected right sided tinnitus.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities. The Board has determined that further development, including a VA examination, is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or immediately following service. The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities are more likely due to post-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumptively service-connected due to herbicide exposure in Thailand. The cervical spine disorder is also presumed service-connected based on a history of treatment and degenerative changes found by imaging studies prior to any reported in-service injury. Both conditions are granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability. The issues of an effective date before March 27, 2007, for the grant of service connection for a back disability and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a back disability are pending. The issue of TDIU is also pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are related to her in-service fall, and service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. The claim was reopened based on new evidence but the disabilities were still deemed unrelated.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for right cervical sensorimotor radiculopathy and found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to a request for a hearing that was not properly processed. The Veteran is scheduled for a Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran's cervical disability was rated at 30 percent disabling throughout the appeal period. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations, as the range of motion findings were within the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, effective September 21, 2017.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability and right shoulder disability are not related to service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder disability, is found to be related to active service and granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for arthritis of various joints. The Board finds that additional development is necessary to address the nature and etiology of her current arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of his claims for service connection and increased evaluations. The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow and cervical spine disorders are not service-connected, as they were not incurred or aggravated by his service-connected disuse muscle atrophy of the left biceps and triceps with chronic lateral epicondylitis. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a neck disability or bilateral leg disability other than his service-connected sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The Veteran's unspecified gastritis is rated at 10 percent, and his low back disability is currently rated at 60 percent. No increased rating is granted.