Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and whether it is related to service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spondylotic myelopathy, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and associated radiculopathies have been denied. The RO has granted separate ratings for the upper and lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is etiologically related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's spine disorder is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to service, and the issue of service connection will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development of the Veteran's service records and Social Security Administration records, as well as obtaining private treatment records from UPMC Altoona. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on this new evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development to determine its etiology and whether it is related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence of a current chronic skin disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the cervical spine disability and left arm peripheral neuropathy claims, and service connection is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic myofascial pain syndrome of the low back and arthritis of the cervical spine are related to service, with the latter being attributed to a post-service motor vehicle accident.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and thoracic spine disability have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is not etiologically related to her active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine her eligibility for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a right eye injury, sleep apnea, neck disability, and low back disability. The evidence does not support these claims as there is no current diagnosis or link to active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck, back, and right shoulder disabilities are not related to active service. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating for left knee instability was assigned prior to April 27, 2000, and in excess of 20 percent as of June 1, 2000.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is being remanded to allow the VA to adjudicate a secondary service connection claim related to his PTSD. The primary issue remains whether he incurred injuries during service and if those injuries are connected to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's trapezius strain and cervical spine condition have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not appropriate as there has never been ankylosis of the cervical spine. The tension headaches have also been rated at 30 percent, with no higher ratings available under current criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU since April 20, 2010.