Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic jaw injury and a cervical spine disability, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disorders are not service-connected as they are related to a September 2001 motor vehicle accident during civilian employment. The Veteran did not have any complaints or diagnoses of these conditions during his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including any neurological components such as sciatic nerve disorder and peripheral neuropathy, is not related to his military service. The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic disease shown in service or within the applicable presumptive period under 38 C.F.R. § 3.307.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and his representative, which includes a VA examination of his neck and cervical spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and calcification of the trifurcation region vessels in bilateral knees are not service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine IVDS and DDD with facet disease, foraminal narrowing, and stenosis as directly incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the requested opinions from the VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for nerve damage to the cervical spine, a herniated muscle in left medial leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a bilateral shoulder disorder. The Veteran was granted a 60 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residuals of partial knee replacement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate development of his claim for a total disability rating by reason of individual unemployability (TDIU). The AOJ must ensure that the Veteran undergoes an adequate VA examination and obtain an opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, epicondylitis of the right elbow, and low back disability, preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 20, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral flat feet (pes planus), back disability, neck disability, and headaches, are not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, characterized as multi-level degenerative joint disease, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain VA treatment records. The issues of increased ratings for hearing loss, tension headaches, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and sleep apnea. The appeal is not granted yet.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were aggravated by his service, but not caused by it. The headache disability was pre-existing and increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his in-service fall, and the Board finds that service connection should be granted.