Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or impairment, and denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as upper back and neck disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her cervical spondylosis is being remanded due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence. The AOJ will consider this new evidence and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional VA examinations and development of the claims file. The issues include service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shin, left shin, and right thigh disorders.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine (neck) disorder, headaches, and lumbar spine (low back) disorder have been withdrawn. The claim for a low back disorder was denied as there is no evidence of arthritis manifest to 10% within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a seizure disorder, but denied reopening of his claim for depression.,Service connection is granted for a seizure disorder as secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new hearing. The issues are to determine if the Veteran should receive increased disability ratings for her knee conditions and whether she can establish service connection for her cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including brain cyst, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, headaches, fibromyalgia, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and bilateral tinnitus, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for Meniere's disease, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his left thigh injury, thoracic spine disability, and cervical spine disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person; and he is neither bedridden nor housebound.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus and neck disability are reasonably shown to be related to service. The Board grants the claims for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for the issues of PTSD, arthritis of the neck, low back, and left side, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, right knee disability, headaches, hearing loss, a disability to account for joint and body aches, and sore throat. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 1, 1999. The claim for an increased evaluation is granted as of December 21, 2011, when the rating was temporarily raised to 100 percent due to surgery necessitating convalescence. The Veteran's cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent since February 1, 2012.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent since April 21, 2015. His cervical spine disability is rated as 20 percent disabling from May 7, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any claimed conditions. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied claim for service connection for chronic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and nerve damage to the cervical spine, left shoulder, and left arm, claimed as secondary to surgical removal of ribs (now, status post removal of the first and cervical ribs for thoracic outlet syndrome).

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability since December 11, 2007. The effective date of this decision is June 6, 2012. The earlier effective date for the right knee extension rating remains unchanged.