Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his squamous cell carcinoma with bilateral cervical metastasis was incurred in service or related to exposure to herbicide agents. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis, stenosis, disc disease, herniated discs, and neuropathy. The decision is based on the aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine injury. The claim will be further developed and reviewed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain and to reopen his claim for service connection for a bilateral eye condition. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the bilateral eye disability claim.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his hemorrhoids, have been rated appropriately. The Board has granted separate ratings for left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy effective December 29, 2016.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a new examination to assess his current low back and cervical spine disabilities. The appeal will be remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for respiratory, cervical, low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral shoulder disorders.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric condition, diagnosed as schizophrenia, is not service-connected. The VA examiner found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's in-service stressors and his current symptoms.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and there is no evidence to warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and any associated neurological manifestations.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability for the back or CTS since service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities did not manifest during or as a result of active military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 20 percent for her service-connected cervical spine disability has been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence. The AOJ will review this evidence and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep problems was dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for cervical spine fracture with arthritis prior to December 1, 2017 is denied. The claim for a higher evaluation of the cervical spine condition as of December 1, 2017 is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left arm/neck disability, claimed as radiating pain in the left arm and neck, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his symptoms are related to his service-connected condition or if they result in functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to April 27, 2010 for service connection of degenerative joint disease, L4-5 and L5-S1 and cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.