Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left leg stress fracture and a cervical spine disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is pending as the Veteran recently raised this issue, but no specific diagnosis or etiology was provided in the decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound, earlier effective date for SMC based on need for aid and attendance, increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The RO acknowledged the Veteran's report of needing help with dressing, bathing, and buttoning clothes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis at C5-C6, herniated nucleus pulposus C3-C4, and right C6-C7 radiculopathy was granted. The claims for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower and upper extremities (excluding right C6-C7), and a low back disability remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and orthopedic conditions, are found to be in equipoise with his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have been met.

The Veteran's soft tissue sarcoma left cervical region is rated at 30 percent since April 28, 2010.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic low back or cervical spine disorder present during service, and the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her active military service. The Veteran's hearing loss claim cannot be presumed as it did not manifest within one year after service discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and Meniere's disease (claimed as vertigo/loss of balance). The Veteran's other claims, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a back disorder, and residuals of a ruptured appendix, are pending further development or remand.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches, which he attributes to an in-service injury. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic cervical spine disorder or headaches that are etiologically related to service, but finds that these conditions may be secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the issue.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for mid-chest pain and shortness of breath is dismissed as the symptoms are already compensated by his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 28, 2007, for the grant of a 20 percent rating for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and spondylosis, as well as left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between these conditions and his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, an extraschedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right finger/hand injury, but further development is needed due to ongoing symptoms.