Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is manifested by pain, limitation of motion, tenderness, and objective evidence of arthritis. The Board finds that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns about the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders and in-service physical abuse.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have not been shown to warrant a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20% each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus service connection is denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for his right shoulder disability was increased to 40 percent, the highest available under the rating code for limitation of motion. The Veteran experiences daily flare-ups that prevent him from using his arm.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to deficiencies in previous medical opinions and lack of clarification on whether service connection is warranted on a direct basis or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent evidence. The issues are whether he should receive higher initial ratings for his cervical spine and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA service. The Veteran's claims for psychiatric, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, headache and respiratory disorders are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, cervical and lumbar spine arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis are related to service exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DJD of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, respiratory disability, skin disability, and neck disability based on the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service. The right ear pain claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is unrelated to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) has also been found not related to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The appeals for the other issues are withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inextricably intertwined issues, including a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) regarding service connection for migratory polyarthritis or Reiter's syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders, and left knee osteoarthritis, status post left knee replacement. The Veteran's claims are now ready for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a rating of 60 percent for prostatitis effective February 20, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as there is no evidence of a service-connected condition that would warrant such ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, the maximum available under former Diagnostic Code 5290. The claim for hepatitis B and lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease remains pending.