Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to verify a claimed in-service stressor. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including service connection for DM, cervical condition, lumbar condition(s), hypertension, bilateral knee condition(s) and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is rated as moderate, resulting in a compensable rating of 10 percent. The cervical strain and recurrent left ankle strain are both rated at the noncompensable level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical disability, finding that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes caused by IVDS.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied as they did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Persian Gulf War exposure or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches, finding that the Veteran's assertions of in-service neck injuries were credible and consistent with the circumstances of his service. The Board also found that there was at least relative equipoise evidence supporting the claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to the now service-connected cervical spine disability. Service connection for a low back disability was denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, arm and wrist disability, neck disability, back disability, leg disability (including varicose veins and blood clots), lung disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disorder), and hip disability. The Board found the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's insomnia is not related to his military service.,There is no evidence linking any of the other claimed disabilities (arthritis, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral eye disorder, coronary disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder) to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to lack of recent medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's DJD of the cervical spine was found to have manifested within one year of service, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection. The claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability due to new and material evidence. However, the claims for service connection for cervical spine and headache disabilities have been denied as they are not related to service or willful misconduct.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, citing that he is already receiving compensation and does not want to move forward with the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical dystonia is not related to his service, including presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and are not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it does not have a direct link to his military service.,There is no evidence of a current bilateral hand disorder, and thus the Veteran cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, but did not specify the exact dates or new rating levels.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims, including obtaining SSA records.