Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding the service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disability (asbestosis), and cervical spine disabilities. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disability, including depression. The service connection claim for depression was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 28, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed left knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disorders. The claims will be reviewed after these opinions are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal involves the recoupment of separation pay from his disability compensation payments. The case is being remanded for further review, including determining if any service-connected disabilities were compensable during his first period of service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected jaw condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied an increased initial rating for the Veteran's right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine or a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder strain.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all of his pending appeals, including those related to service connection for various conditions and disability ratings. As a result, the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Board has granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's lumbar strain with IVDS effective June 24, 2009. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg is also service connected as secondary to his low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetes or glaucoma, and the left shoulder and neck disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as other conditions, have been considered. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a left elbow injury is granted, with an effective date to be determined based on further review. Service connection for varicose veins was denied previously. Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for dental issues has also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to maintain gainful employment, and therefore his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, neck disability and increased evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain are being reopened. The issues have been remanded to ensure proper development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the March 1998 rating decision, which denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The effective date is set at May 29, 1997.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by at least prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, warranting a 10 percent disability evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation beginning November 1, 2006.