Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) has been granted. The initial disability rating for major depressive disorder remains at 30 percent, and the increased disability rating for chronic cervical strain disability is set at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Board hearing. The case will be processed again with the scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disorders are aggravated by his period of active duty service in Iraq. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right chronic Achilles tendonitis, cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD, bipolar disorder, and depression), migraine headaches, radiculopathy, and thoracic outlet syndrome was granted with an effective date of September 28, 2009.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and its associated complications, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and/or PTSD), have not been found to be related to service or exposure to herbicides.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck spur is not service-connected as it is considered part of his already service-connected multilevel cervical disc disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining post-service medical records and providing new examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, annual leave reports from his employer, and a new VA examination. The claims will be reviewed after this additional development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his back and neck disabilities prior to specific dates were denied. The Veteran was not granted a compensable rating for his left knee disability or bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran was unable to maintain substantial gainful employment from August 2006 to August 2007 due to service-connected disabilities, but has been able to obtain and maintain substantially gainful occupation since then.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including sinus disorder, TBI, dizziness, and disorders of the jaw and/or cheek, cervical spine, thoracic spine, right elbow, right wrist, left hip, and right hip, was denied. The Board found no chronic or recurrent sinus problems during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service and is not attributable to an event in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70 percent since October 1996, meeting the criteria for an additional allowance of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1311(a)(2).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records related to the appellant's claims. The appellant is also asked to provide names and addresses of any private healthcare providers who have treated her.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for a new examination due to the lack of recent VA examination and possible worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected back and right knee braces tend to wear or tear his clothing, which could affect his eligibility for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and headaches, with the initial rating issue being addressed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding diabetes mellitus, cervical arthritis, and injury to the anus.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an increased rating for cervical spine disability and service connection for sleep apnea. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.