Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and associated cervical spondylitis, constipation, and short-term memory loss.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the shoulders, wrists, and cervical spine. The conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA spine examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and providing medical nexus opinions. The cervical spine issue remains before the Board.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was evaluated as 10 percent prior to February 27, 2009; 20 percent from February 27, 2009, through January 6, 2010; and 30 percent thereafter. The evaluations were denied.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was evaluated as 10 percent prior to February 27, 2009; 20 percent from February 27, 2009, through January 6, 2010; and 30 percent thereafter. The evaluations were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development due to the potential change in his condition since his last VA examination, as well as the submission of new evidence regarding GERD.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow has been withdrawn. The remaining claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, left knee, and diabetes mellitus are addressed.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU due to one service-connected disability rated at 40 percent or more and his combined service-connected disabilities are rated at 70 percent. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of chronic or continuous symptoms of cervical and thoracic spine disorders during service or near the time of service separation. The Veteran's recent assertions regarding continuity since service are not credible given his prior inconsistent statements.

The Veteran's cervical spine contusion is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right ankle arthritis remains at 10 percent. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his cervical spine myelopathy and anterior C5-6 and C6-7 discectomy residuals with fusion is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and updating the claims file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a cervical spine disorder to allow for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbosacral/dorsal spine disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation above 10 percent for seasonal allergic rhinitis with reactive airway disease, diabetes mellitus was not incurred in active duty, hyperlipidemia is a laboratory finding, joint pain as a manifestation of a separately diagnosed disability from the service-connected left ankle arthritis and cervical and thoracolumbar spine arthritis did not have its onset during active military service, a thoracic spine disability representing a separately diagnosed disability from the service-connected thoracolumbar spine arthritis was not incurred in active duty, obstructive sleep apnea did not have its onset during active military service and is not etiologically related to, or otherwise worsened beyond its natural clinical progression by, service-connected seasonal allergic rhinitis with reactive airway disease. The claims for tuberculosis, a corneal abrasion of the right eye, and CTS of the left wrist were denied as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional records and determine if new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete records and need for a more valid opinion regarding the Veteran's spinal conditions.

The Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and they are not related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, effective dates for service connection of thoracolumbar spine strain and tinnitus, and reopening a claim for cervical spine disorder. The case is being remanded due to the Veteran requesting a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current cervical spine disorder, as well as whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the Veteran's remaining claims of service connection for right ankle disorder, left knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and back disorder are remanded for further development.