Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and mild ectasia of the ascending aorta. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding medical records and SSA disability determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a conflicting medical appointment, and he has been requested for a travel board hearing at the RO in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression was withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for left eye floaters, finding that the condition is as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been consistently at 80 percent since March 9, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to a full grant of benefits sought on appeal with respect to those issues.,Service connection was granted for bilateral knee disability, but the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not supported by evidence showing it is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, hip, foot, and sleep apnea disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is less likely than not caused by her service-connected lower back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for the issues of service connection for cervical spondylosis and right upper extremity disability before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spondylosis, which he claims was caused by poor seating in aircrafts during his military service. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, finding that it was caused by a fall during active duty.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of July 1, 2007 for the grants of service connection for right ankle strain, right shoulder strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left ankle strain, and residuals of a nasal fracture.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to failure of the Veteran to appear for VA examinations. The case is now returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine since January 24, 2009. The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, ankle disorders, knee disorders, hip disorders, and psychiatric and gastrointestinal issues, were denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, to include radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, did not manifest during service or within one year following service and thus is not presumed. The evidence does not establish continuity of symptomatology after service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.