Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical, lumbar, and bilateral knee conditions are related to his service as a paratrooper. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, with associated right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and finds that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service, including an in-service incident involving a tank. The neurological disorder claim remains pending as it is unclear from the medical evidence of record the exact diagnoses of any neurological disorder present.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left shoulder radiculopathy at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic bilateral shoulder disability, right ankle disability, or cervical spine disability related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claims for these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and addendum medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, fibromyalgia, chronic right shoulder strain, chronic left shoulder strain, and right upper extremity neuritis, all effective September 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, cervical osteoarthritis, residuals of a right ankle injury, scar of the right thigh, and erectile dysfunction, result in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as he has more than one disability rated at least 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from March 30, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service or secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, and if so, whether it was aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a cervical spine examination. The claims of service connection for hypertension, rating reduction of low back disability, and TDIU are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in most cases and insufficient medical nexus to support the Veteran's assertions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain with mild scoliosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was manifested to a compensable degree within one year of his separation from service. Therefore, presumptive service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability and spina bifida occulta, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the current medical evidence.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 20 percent since November 3, 2011. The Board found that the criteria for a rating of 20 percent have been met throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the rating of his cervical spine disability, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and arthritis due to trauma of the cervical spine.