Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current DDD is related to his military service. However, the Board denied service connection for bowel incontinence due to lack of evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and clarification, including obtaining VA treatment records from the Kansas City VA Medical Center and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, and the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 30 percent, the highest schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to obtain medical records and provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine if his current left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability was not related to service or any service-connected conditions, and denied his claim for service connection. The bipolar disorder rating remained unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not etiologically related to her service, specifically her 2002 injury during ACDUTRA. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back injury and cervical spine disorder are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as for additional compensation for lower extremity radiculopathy, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are being remanded due to inadequate development in prior examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. Service connection is granted for cervical dystonia. The issue of heat exhaustion residuals and migraine headaches secondary to cervical dystonia are also addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for appellate review until this hearing is scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his service-connected conditions alone result in the need for such benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine arthritis. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its pre-service status.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, specifically for residuals of a head injury and cervical spine disability. The evidence did not establish a causal relationship between the claimed in-service injuries and the current disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 30, 2015 for all four service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of any diagnosed cervical spine disorders, peripheral neuropathy-related disorders of the right and left lower extremities, and left upper extremity. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA spine examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neurological disabilities related to his cervical spine disorder.

Your claim for service connection for a left arm disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, has been granted and you are now receiving a 20% rating effective March 1, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The case is now pending further adjudication.