Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and seeking an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and considering the Veteran's testimony regarding worsening of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Board found no direct evidence linking the Veteran's cervical spine disorder to his military service or any incident therein. The examiner opined that the current neck disorder is less likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for service connection of heel spurs, shoulder spurs/arthritis, and toe spurs/arthritis were denied as there was no evidence to support their relationship with service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and vestibular dysfunction disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by military service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is not related to his active service and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are mixed, with some issues granted and others not.,The appeal involves multiple conditions including low back/lumbar spine condition, dizziness, neck and cervical spine pathology, sleep apnea, headaches, and memory loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not begin during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders to his service, including a truck accident during Basic Training. The VA examinations did not support a connection between these conditions and service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his service-connected right knee condition. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to his service-connected right knee condition.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities as they are also found to be related to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, coronary artery disease, cervical disorder, and other conditions are all granted due to exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction and radiculopathy that is secondary to his service-connected DM.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, allowing for a grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated as 20 percent disabling since February 4, 2013. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left arm disability are service-connected, with the former being related to a motor vehicle accident in service and the latter likely due to degenerative changes resulting from the cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.