Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disorder is denied. For the initial rating period on appeal from June 24, 2010 until June 14, 2016, a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent for tension headaches is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was granted at a 20% level, but the Board found that prior to September 1, 2015, his disability warranted an increased rating to 30%. The decision also noted that there were no incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus. The reasons include that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim for low back disability, and there is no direct or secondary service connection based on the evidence provided.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the claim. The Veteran's in-service diving injury is linked to his current condition.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hammertoes, and DJD are granted service connection. Service connection for cervical spine disability is also granted, but the rating assigned is only 20 percent, which may not be sufficient given his symptoms. The issue of higher ratings for thoracolumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which may be related to his service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the case to consider new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and to readjudicate all claims including this new evidence.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent, the left knee disability remains at 10 percent, and hypertension is also rated at 10 percent. GERD receives a 10 percent rating. TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 15, 2017. The Board has ordered remand for further development and examination to determine the appropriate rating before September 15, 2017.

The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for a neck disability, and thus remands the issue for further development.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip disability is dismissed as moot.,The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flatfoot is dismissed as moot.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for entitlement to service connection for left hip disability is reopened.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including right knee disorder, back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome, all of which are claimed as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The VA is directed to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Board has dismissed the claim for residuals, right leg surgery and denied the claim for non-service connected pension benefits. The remaining issues of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral foot disability, and TDIU are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and cervical back strain, insomnia and sleep apnea, but remanded the issue of service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is directly related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its onset in service, aggravation by a pre-existing condition (skin cancer), and whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or disease, such as falls from trucks. The examiner must also consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his neck injuries during service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle, low back, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and chronic pain/fibromyalgia disorders. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to a service-connected disability, denied service connection for tinnitus and heart condition, and denied service connection for low back disability. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of cervical spine disability is denied, but the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy from June 19, 2017, and left upper extremity radiculopathy remains pending.