Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a neck disability or hypertension, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,There was no evidence of a current diagnosis in the medical records provided by VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability claim remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent legal decisions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent from September 22, 2016. The Board granted a higher rating for his neck condition based on the evidence showing limited range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of gallstones has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that any current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's cervical condition was not manifested during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to service. The Board found that the current diagnosis is more likely due to aging rather than a service-connected right clavicle fracture.

The Board has determined that the reductions of ratings for back and neck disabilities were improper, and restored the original ratings. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability has not resulted in a range of motion that warrants an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD claim was reopened based on new evidence but still denied.

The Veteran's eye/vision disorder is not related to service, and his cervical spine disability and degenerative joint disease are not directly related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented her from securing or following gainful employment at any point during the appeal period, including prior to or after November 9, 2007.

The Board found that the Veteran was properly found to be rehabilitated for purposes of the vocational rehabilitation program, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether his service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing the duties of school paraprofessional or if the occupation is now unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap and capabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has determined that a VA medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, including diagnoses noted in treatment records. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left hand radiculopathy are related to his service as a Naval Aviator. The lumbar spine disorder is not shown during service or within one year of separation, but is considered a natural progression of biomechanical injuries incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia and ankle disabilities are alleged to have caused or aggravated his lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disorders. The Board is remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical spine disability on an extra-schedular basis. The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is not caused by, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine and/or psychiatric disabilities. For the rating period prior to February 27, 2013, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed bilateral loss of vision is not related to service and denied his claim.