Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not begin during service and is not otherwise related to an in-service event or injury. The arthritis of the cervical spine was not shown to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's neck disability, including arthritis of the cervical spine, is presumed to have been incurred in service due to a motor vehicle accident during active duty. The Veteran also has headaches that are secondary to his now-service-connected neck disability and pelvic obliquity as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, erosive esophagitis and degenerative arthritis cervical spine with disc bulging C5-6 without cord compression.

The Veteran's claims for assistance with the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, as well as specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, were denied due to lack of entitlement based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The issues regarding increased ratings for radiculopathy and migraine headaches are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed neck and sinus disabilities, finding that these conditions are as likely as not proximately due to or caused by in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle did not have its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to his service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, and the issues of increased ratings for her right foot and ankle disorder, migraine headaches, and TDIU have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obesity, claimed as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and are related to his service-connected TBI. Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of a neck injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to assess his cervical spine disability and consideration of TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and issues raised during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased ratings for his cervical spine, groin tinea cruris, and hemorrhoids disabilities. The current ratings are deemed adequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee strain is not related to his service, but he does have a current diagnosis of dry eye syndrome. The issue of cervical spine disability due to service connection remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for award of a TDIU, and his disabilities are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.