Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board found no evidence of a current left ankle or cervical spine disability and determined that any pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant and his representative, resulting in the dismissal of all open claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed elbow, wrist, and neck conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for his service-connected conditions and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 are also pending.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 8510 for mild incomplete paralysis, and his TDIU claim prior to December 16, 2013 was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran is presumed to have a congenital disease or defect, but VA must show by clear and unmistakable evidence that it pre-existed service.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disc disease did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as her disability was manifested by forward flexion greater than 30 degrees and combined range of motion of 125 degrees or more.,For cervical spine disc disease prior to October 1, 2010, the appellant's disability was rated at 10 percent; from October 1, 2010, it was rated at 20 percent. The Board found that these ratings were appropriate given her range of motion and lack of incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's head injury in service resulted in an acquired psychiatric disorder, which is now considered a compensable rating for residual scarring over the right eyebrow. The Board also granted service connection for residuals of a head injury resulting in an acquired psychiatric disorder and polyneuropathy as secondary to the head injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a hearing request and pending appeal to the Court.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a traumatic brain injury with headaches and a neck disability are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence received is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,The Veteran's right hip disability appeal was withdrawn prior to the issuance of a decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination. The issues of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, psychiatric disabilities, left hip, right hip, and right hand disabilities are now before the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, neck, and left shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The residuals of a head injury claim is denied as well.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extra-schedular considerations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or extra-schedular consideration for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The TDIU application should also be completed.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcers, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. The decision also found that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical examination and opinion regarding his service-connected cervical spine DDD, C6-7, with spondylosis. The claim will be readjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD) cervical spine was denied as the current evaluation of 30 percent is considered to be the maximum available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was rated at 10 percent prior to July 22, 2014. Since then, he has been assigned a 30 percent rating effective July 22, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his request. The issues remain on appeal for increased ratings for migraine headaches, cervical spine strain, and thoracolumbar spine strain.