Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine injury with strain. A separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, was granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from January 12, 2017. Service connection for anxiety disorder with amnesic disorder was properly terminated and denied. Severance of special monthly compensation housebound benefits, non-service connected pension, and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted.

The Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for cervical spondylosis was also denied as it is less likely than not related to service-connected knee and lumbar conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder NOS), and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of the evidence showed that the current disabilities were not manifest in service or related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete disability ratings and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's claim for SMP is also pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, so the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during service or related to an in-service injury. The VA examiners concluded that the current cervical spine disability is not at least as likely as not related to any in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% respectively, with a temporary total rating for the cervical spine. The appeal is denied as the ratings do not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's cervical strain prior to June 1, 2016 was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal concerning the initial compensable disability rating prior to October 12, 2010 and a disability rating greater than 30 percent beginning October 12, 2010 for restrictive airway disease has been dismissed. The Board also remanded several other issues related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a cervical strain has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The issue of a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a right distal fibula fracture is being remanded.

The claim for service connection of a low back disability has been reopened and is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability is also being remanded.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for a jaw condition is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to service connection for head injury and neck disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and migraine headaches associated with cervical spine disability are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical arthritis, dizziness, fainting spells, migraines, and memory loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these issues at a hearing.,A claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability has been reopened due to new evidence. The Veteran's neck disability is found to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims and an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and one related to the effective date of additional compensation based on having a dependent spouse.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), and a cervical spine disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection remains denied as there is no clear evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection has not been established for left ear infection, colon cancer, stroke, or low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint, degenerative arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, neck disability, and vision disability.