Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck and low back disability, finding that his current disabilities do not relate to an in-service injury or were not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities are related to service and have granted service connection for all three conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disability did not have its onset during military service, within one year of separation from active duty, and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck injury, including cervical strain and mild DJD. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disorder, as well as his cervical spine disorder (including fibrositis and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine), both on the merits.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to January 6, 2009. From that date, his disability has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for service connection for residuals of barotrauma and service connection for residuals of a barotrauma. The underlying claim for service connection is also granted, with the disability being found to have been incurred during active service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding compensable evaluations for cephalgia prior to August 6, 2013 and evaluation in excess of 30 percent for cephalgia on and after August 6, 2013 has been withdrawn. The issue of service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and cervicalgia is now considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development. The issues include rating his anxiety and depressive disorder, increased hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, ischemic heart disease, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not manifest in service or within one year after separation from service and is unrelated to service. The Board also determined that the cervical spine disorder was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only as defined by VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied service connection for left elbow and upper arm numbness. The Veteran is now entitled to a 10% disability rating for his residuals of traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected right little finger crush injury with residual scar and his claimed carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's IBS disability has been rated at 10 percent and denied a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis.,The Veteran's cervical spine DJD disability has been rated at 10 percent (February 1, 2005 to April 12, 2010) and 20 percent (from April 12, 2010), and denied a higher rating on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted, with the cervical spine rated at 20% effective November 18, 2013, and the thoracolumbar spine rated at 40%. The rating is based on the current functional limitations of the spinal joints.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains denied as no new and material evidence was presented.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran is requesting increased ratings or effective date changes.