Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for a neck disability and granted a rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's neck disability is now considered to be related to service, while his right lower extremity radiculopathy continues to warrant a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome. The appeal regarding an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are directly related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's DJD of the cervical spine had its onset in or was otherwise related to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent. The ratings for his bilateral ankle sprains with osteoarthritis have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, rheumatoid arthritis, swelling under the arms and of the neck, and hypertension are not shown to be related to service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral radiculopathy, lumbar strain and cervical strain effective from August 29, 2008, resulting in the award of $83,922.46 in VA benefits. The attorney's fees were withheld at a rate of 20% based on these past-due benefits.

The Veteran has withdrawn all the issues on appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen the left shoulder disability was granted, but no new rating is assigned as his current 20% rating adequately compensates him.

The Board has granted service connection for the left leg disability of radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine DJD. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was restored to a 20% rating from February 1, 2014 through April 13, 2015.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy remains at a 0% rating.

The Veteran's right hand disability has been rated at 30 percent since March 2006. A separate 10 percent rating for nerve damage to the right hand digits is granted.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability and shoulder disability, both secondary to service-connected right hand disability, is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for increased ratings and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with major depression and panic disorder with agoraphobia, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis in lower cervical spine, arthritis right foot (status post crush injury and reconstructive surgery to right great toe), and degenerative joint disease, right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for shoulder, back, and neck disabilities but finds that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder are all found to be related to service. The lumbar degenerative joint disease, myofascial cervical syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability, and right ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and ligamentous instability have been granted initial compensable ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective October 1, 2010. The cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective October 14, 2013.