Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right knee disabilities are not related to his service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for a left ear disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's C5-C6 radiculopathy of the left arm associated with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is rated at 30 percent effective June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA vocational rehabilitation assessment and ensuring that all procedural requirements are met. The appellant's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, back disability, kidney disability, and hypertension. The Board finds that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service or to pre-existing disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any disease, injury, exposure, or other event in service. The multilevel lumbar disc disease does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied as her claimed conditions did not develop during or are otherwise related to her active military service.

The Veteran's left ankle strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has found that the disability picture nearly resembles marked limitation of motion, warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for right ankle disorder, hemorrhoids, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, and migraines are remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The claim for increased rating for cervical spine disability has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, and readjudicating the claims.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability in service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it is related to military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine remains at 10 percent, as his range of motion and symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to assess his cervical spine disability and peripheral neuropathy. The propriety of reducing his prostate cancer rating from 100% to 20% will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that further development is needed, including additional examinations and opinions, to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for anxiety disorder and TDIU.