Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is not related to service, and his cervical spine and left knee disorders are not related to service.,Service connection was denied for all three issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, radiculopathy of the upper extremities as secondary to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his back conditions, including cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper extremity neurological disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is a result of his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a nexus between the Veteran's current sleep apnea and his military service. The issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine degenerative joint disease were not addressed due to the remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination of his TBI residuals and an SOC regarding service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from March 19, 2011.,His right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy have both been granted initial ratings of 40 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his Parkinson's disease. The effective dates of these grants are set to November 4, 2013.

The Veteran's daughter is seeking various ratings and service connection for multiple conditions, but the appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for left leg venous insufficiency.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including those related to his right elbow strain with right biceps tendonitis, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and headache disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, including as secondary to his service-connected right and/or left shoulder disabilities. The medical evidence does not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to a lack of examinations and medical records, as well as an official determination regarding Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded both issues for additional development and examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and hypertension are the primary claims under appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current left knee disability related to service, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a right ankle disability during or after service. The Veteran's current right ankle condition was not shown until 2007, which is too long after his separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders require additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, was incurred during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and upper back disability is etiologically related to her active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is caused by her service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial disability evaluations for his cervical spine strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.