Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are at least partially caused by his service-connected knee disabilities, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and other specified depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service stressor event of exposure to weapons fire. Service connection was denied for tinnitus and a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's depression has been rated at 30 percent since December 15, 2008. The rating is maintained as the evidence does not show that she meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of all pending appeals by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid cancer and diabetes mellitus are not related to his military service, including exposure to ionizing radiation.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus does not grant service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, clarifying the use of a goniometer in a previous examination, and providing another VA examination to assess his cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's second period of service was discharged under Other Than Honorable conditions due to misconduct, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and assigned initial non-compensable ratings to his right trapezius muscle strain, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction of the right lower extremity, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve dysfunction of the left lower extremity, and eczema of the lateral calves and heels.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is related to his military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's asthma, T4 fracture and C2 fracture have not been found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a neck disability and bilateral ankle disability is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 6, 2008. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address certain medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with the cervical spine disability are each rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's headaches disability is rated as non-compensable from November 28, 2008 to July 22, 2012, and in excess of 10 percent since July 23, 2012. After considering all the evidence, including VA examinations and medical records, the Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and temporary total evaluations due to his service-connected disabilities. The claims of entitlement to service connection were not addressed as they are not part of the current appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, either as a direct result of his military service or secondary to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected low back disorder does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent, and he did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of either lower extremity. His request for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to her in-service neck pain and treatment, thus denying her claim for service connection.