Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and left upper extremity disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The disabilities were more likely related to post-service incidents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, neurological conditions, and bilateral eye pterygium.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of the neck was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active duty. The cervical spine disability is also not caused or made worse by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was granted effective February 4, 2016. He is now rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder, sinus disorder, stomach disorder, and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The Board is dismissing these issues as the appeal has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and right upper extremity radiculopathy were rated at the maximum available disability ratings, with no further increase granted. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's hearing loss had its onset in service and the Board has determined that she is entitled to service connection for this disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not filed within the required time limits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional evidence. The case is now pending with instructions for a VA addendum opinion.

The Board found no current cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine disability and denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's depressive disorder not otherwise specified with generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder was rated at 30 percent from November 12, 2009 to July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability and determine any functional loss due to pain or other symptoms.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service as an ART in the Air Force Reserve, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for GERD, and there was no indication of severe impairment of health or other symptoms warranting a 60% rating. For his feet disabilities, the Board noted that the evidence did not show he required at least one month of convalescence following surgery. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was also denied as service connection is decided on the merits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been granted. The claims for herpes simplex, sinusitis/allergic rhinitis, left shoulder disability, and jaw popping resulting from wisdom tooth removal have not yet been decided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran is rendered unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected right and left knee degenerative joint disease, low back degenerative disc disease, and cervical spinal stenosis.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and a need for an addendum opinion from the January 2015 VA examiner.