Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection, but the left shoulder condition has a 30% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as of April 15, 2010. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and degenerative joint disease of the entire body were not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of asbestosis or any related lung disorder in the Veteran’s records. The claim for asbestosis was denied.,Periodontal disease was already service-connected, so a new claim for it was denied.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle edema was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied an increased rating. The claim for TDIU was also denied as his combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headache disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and total disability rating due to unemployability prior to January 27, 2017. The Board will address these issues for the purpose of ensuring the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) along with information about the process for perfecting an appeal as to those issues if the Veteran so desires.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for recognition of J.E.R. as a helpless child of a Veteran on the basis of permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18 due to lack of timely filing of a Substantive Appeal. The appeals for service connection for cervical spine disability and right knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as they are reflected in the disability ratings assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to service-connected left knee and/or lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim was granted from July 2, 2010 to July 8, 2012.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The claim for cervical spine disability is granted, while the claim for left lower extremity neuropathy is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, right knee arthralgia, heart murmur, and bilateral ankle disorder as these issues were withdrawn by the Veteran's representative. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as anxiety/depression) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and back injuries have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete STRs and need for further medical examinations. The issues include knee, cervical spine, upper back, foot, IBS, and psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's back and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by her inability to perform physical or sedentary work due to chronic neck and back pain.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including post-traumatic arthritis and instability, is rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are granted.

Service connection is granted for neck and back disabilities, as well as residuals from excision of a ganglion cyst on the right index finger. Service connection is also granted for post-fracture neuralgia of the left little toe.,The Veteran's claims are all supported by medical opinions linking her current conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, right-hand disability, and cervical spine disability have been granted service connection. The rating for headaches has not yet been determined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck conditions may be related to his military service, but additional evidence is needed to make a determination. The hearing loss disability also requires further examination due to its recent worsening.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right-shoulder disorder and lumbar-spine disorder after August 31, 2017 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right-shoulder disorder or in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar-spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for a neurological disorder of the right arm, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.