Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond after any new evidence is considered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the case is being remanded for further development to determine his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar strain and sacroiliitis, as well as fibromyalgia. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since her in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).

The Veteran's cervical spine condition has been rated at 20 percent since February 17, 2010. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed neck and middle back disabilities, finding that they are attributable to injuries sustained during his active duty. The acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records, missing VA treatment records, and outstanding worker's compensation determinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since May 21, 1999. The claim of entitlement to a TDIU has not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical and lumbar spine conditions are not related to service, including a pre-service neck condition. The weight of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbar strain and chronic cervical strain, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing all relevant evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities prior to February 21, 2006. The Acting Director of Compensation Services determined that the service-connected conditions did not preclude employment.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran due to an undelivered notification letter and the Veteran's request for such.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knees are being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. His claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left ankle, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are also being remanded as he has not been provided with a VA examination in over six years.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and private records. The Veteran's death is being reviewed to determine if his service-connected conditions contributed to his cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and prostate cancer, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The skin disorder claim is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the requirements of this program due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated upper extremity radiculopathy were not granted increased ratings. The right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied, but the left upper extremity radiculopathy from May 11, 2016, received a 50% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim is granted.