Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back strain and cervical strain have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional disability or aggravation considered.,The Veteran's nummular eczema and tinea pedis have resulted in minimal disability. The Veteran's traumatic headaches have been rated based on the severity of his symptoms as of May 1, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a statement of the case addressing service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The other conditions listed were also found not to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back, neck, right and left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lyme disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, angioedema, and a kidney condition. The Veteran is not eligible for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of secondary conditions to his right knee osteoarthritis were denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being remanded for additional development to determine if it was caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, or PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of his TDIU claim based solely on his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to missing service treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Education file. The Veteran is also advised to provide any private medical records related to his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically anxiety disorder NOS. The Veteran's current diagnoses are supported by competent medical evidence, with the exception of his previous diagnoses which were ruled out in the May 2013 VHA opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating prior to May 30, 2012 and since then has not resulted in forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees or any other condition that would warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the lower extremities (including radiculopathy, polyneuropathy and peripheral neuropathy), and headaches are all found to be related to his service-connected chronic low back disability with arthritic changes. The claim for an increased evaluation for the low back disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine from 20% to 10% was improper due to equipoise evidence. The claim for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and schizophrenia is reopened, but the claim for a neck disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The issue of TDIU has been remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine should be granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his combined disability rating is at least 90 percent and he has been found unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for this period. Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it is not manifested by favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine or forward flexion limited to 15 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to any incident of his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1980.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his service or caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The VA examiner opined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is degenerative in nature, unrelated to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.