Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's need for aid and attendance was not due to his service-connected disabilities, but rather due to nonservice-connected conditions. Therefore, SMC based upon the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's neck disability is not service-connected as secondary to his lumbosacral strain. The Board also found that a separate rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve associated with his lumbosacral strain prior to June 18, 2013 is not warranted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain due to new evidence submitted since the May 1979 RO decision. The cervical spine disability is denied as it cannot be distinguished from PTSD, which precludes separate evaluations. Service connection for hypertension is denied as there was no service connection established. The Veteran's TBI is rated at 100% disabling concurrently with his PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The issue of residuals of a head injury remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence to decide the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran's reported history is not fully addressed in the current medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with a specific rating of 20 percent for lumbosacral discogenic disease. The other conditions are rated as compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reopened and granted for PTSD. The cervical spine disability claim is also being granted, but the psychiatric disorder other than PTSD claim remains pending. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and consideration of the Veteran's cervical spine disability claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of arthritis of the cervical spine did not manifest during service and is less likely related to any in-service injury or event, including a motor vehicle accident. As such, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's Rating Schedule.,Both of the Veteran's lower extremity peripheral neuropathy disabilities are currently rated at 40 percent, also not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and neurological impairment of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.,The VA physician concluded that the Veteran's current cervical spine/neck disorder is not causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine, status-post laminectomy have been rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2012. The Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing no more than functional loss more nearly approximating forward flexion of the cervical spine of 20 degrees or greater.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and consideration of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's neck disability is related to service or caused by her service-connected PTSD. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining this information.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's in-service noise exposure is at least as likely as not related to his current condition. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, back disability, and neck disability are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including heart disability, thyroid disability, dementia, prostate disability, glaucoma, cervical spine disability, and Alzheimer's disease, did not have their onset during active service or for many years thereafter and are not otherwise causally related to his military service. Therefore, these claims of service connection are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.,However, the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD. The Board denied this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were generally granted. Service connection was established for bilateral eye cataracts due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II (DM II). The cervical spine disability received initial ratings of 10 percent prior to June 28, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's TDIU claim from July 31, 2017, is moot due to his combined 100 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's kidney condition, neck disability, and pancreas condition are related to his service-connected disabilities. The heart condition is not directly connected to any service-connected disability.