Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral spine disorder, hearing loss of the left ear, and tinnitus of the left ear as these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection is granted based on direct evidence showing a link between current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of a cervical spine disability, arthritis (bone disability), or a sleeping disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since August 26, 2010.

The Veteran's low back and neck disabilities were not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied service connection for these conditions.,PTSD was rated at 50% from February 7, 2011 to June 2, 2014, and at 70% thereafter. The Veteran's PTSD did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical degenerative joint disease has been granted, with a 20 percent disability rating effective January 6, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle disability, finding that the Veteran's current right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent) is not related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a bilateral shoulder disability. The VA examiner concluded that DJD of the right shoulder is less likely than not related to any in-service event or injury, and there is no evidence of left shoulder condition during service.,The Board found that the Veteran's current nerve irritation manifested as left shoulder pain is proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, service connection for a pulmonary disability was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine IVDS, lumbar spine IVDS, upper extremity radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis, and headaches. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's spondylosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine with kyphosis of the thoracic spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available. The cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent. There are no incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months due to intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the left arm are inextricably intertwined and must be deferred pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders are not related to service, nor may they be presumed to be so incurred. The service-connected lumbar spine disability did not cause or aggravate these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and rhinitis are considered to have contributed substantially and materially to his cause of death. The Board has determined that the criteria for a TDIU prior to October 21, 2009 are met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability were denied, while the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral pinguecula was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active service.,Regarding the right upper extremity disorder (claimed as shoulder condition), the claim is pending and will require further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand. The claim for an initial increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand with involvement of the median nerve is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied due to his own willful misconduct in the motor vehicle accident of April [redacted], 1975. The Board found that none of the conditions claimed were related to active military service.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is related to his military service and has been granted. The other issues remain under consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a lumbar spine, right hip, or cervical spine disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's hospitalization was primarily for a nonservice-connected condition, and her service-connected back disabilities did not contribute to the length of her hospital stay.