Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical examination with an orthopedist to address whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus caused or aggravated his current ankle, knee, low back, and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled hearing. The issues of entitlement to increased rating for Osgood Schlatter's disease in the right knee and service connection for lumbosacral or cervical strain are pending.

The Veteran's current GERD/dyspepsia, umbilical hernia, and right inguinal hernia were incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as there is no current hearing loss disability and the maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records, including both active duty and National Guard records. The appeal will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was increased to 100 percent, effective January 20, 2012. The appellant is entitled to accrued benefits in excess of $9,038.00 due to the Veteran at his death.

The Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability or bilateral shoulder disability that is related to his service.,Service connection for the right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted, but an evaluation in excess of 20 percent is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded for appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine limited to less than 15 degrees, without ankylosis, intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes, or neurologic impairment. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with service connection established for his thoracolumbar spine disorder and respiratory disorder. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is 10 percent prior to September 1, 2010 and 20 percent from that date. A separate increased 20 percent (but no higher) rating was assigned for right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis from June 20, 2006 to February 5, 2015, followed by a separate 40 percent (but no higher) rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities in November 2006, but reopened them with new evidence received since then.,Service connection was not established for cervical stenosis with disc protrusions and cord compression or lumbar spine congenital canal stenosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and nerve root impingement.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for cervical spine spondylosis and service connection for a psychiatric disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, particularly in the form of VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and whether he can obtain substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for post-surgical scars on the lumbar spine was denied. The cervical spine disability and major depression claims were not granted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude a return to substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including service personnel records and VA treatment records. The Veteran also needs a VA audiological examination to determine if his hearing loss is related to service.

Service connection was established for PTSD and a noncompensable rating was assigned.,A compensable rating of 50 percent for PTSD was granted effective August 31, 2010.,The Veteran's fractured 2nd toe, right foot received a noncompensable rating prior to February 12, 2013 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.,A TDIU was granted effective January 29, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's post-operative residuals of cervical spine disability and shell fragment wounds (SFW), right lower extremity (RLE) with effective dates based on when the claims were received, but not earlier than July 17, 2011.