Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination and obtaining all relevant treatment records. The issues of TDIU and specially adapted housing are deferred until the underlying claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral plantar posterior calcaneal spurs was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine is also granted.

The Veteran's right foot disability was granted an initial 10 percent rating. The cervical spine disability was not service connected, but the claim is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine condition and depressive disorder has been granted.,The Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, which is considered a direct result of her military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he claims had its onset in service. The Board has decided to remand the case for further development including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches, DDD of the lumbar spine, and DDD of the cervical spine were denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 (migraine headaches) or very frequent prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and myelitis, is related to his in-service injury. The evidence supports a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the issues related to major depressive disorder, TDIU, knee condition, cervical spine condition, shoulder conditions, anxiety, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and cervical spine disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain disability, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service. The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 10% rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial ratings of cervical fusion, lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis, and left shoulder status post arthroscopic surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his service-connected disabilities, including residuals of peritonitis.

The Veteran seeks service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a medical opinion addressing the effect of the Veteran's MOS on his claimed conditions.

The Veteran died from metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer. The Board found no evidence to support a causal connection between the Veteran's death and his active service, including his cervical spine disability, PTSD, or diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.