Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, including residuals of cervical spine trauma and strain, is related to his military service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome have been granted. However, his requests for initial compensable evaluations for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased disability evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and cervical spine with disc herniation prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to his active duty service or a pre-existing condition aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional limitations, with the most recent rating decision increasing the ratings to 20 percent effective September 14, 2011.,Prior to September 14, 2011, the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were rated at 10 percent. As of September 14, 2011, they have been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's prostate disorder is not service connected as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his kidney stones, bilateral knee, neck, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected urinary dysfunction residuals of cervical cancer have been rated at 40 percent since March 9, 2012. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher disability rating are not met.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with no need for higher ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is presumed to have been incurred during service due to its manifestation within one year of separation. His seizure disorder, characterized as primary generalized tonic clonic seizures, is also presumed to have been incurred during service in the Gulf War theater.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists and sleep apnea are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a lack of copies of relevant documents in his file.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability has been characterized by complaints of limitation of motion and pain, but he has had forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees, and there is no favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. There is also no evidence of incapacitating episodes or separately ratable associated objective neurological abnormalities or disc impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus and residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including recent treatment records. The Veteran is also scheduled for a VA examination regarding his right hand disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for right shoulder disability and neck disability. The Veteran's current hearing loss is presumed to have developed due to noise exposure during service, while the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation for his right shoulder and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation for his cervical spine injury with spondylosis, as well as lumbar strain, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the upper back disability is related to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine or other service-connected condition.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for DDD and spondylosis of the cervical spine, as well as denial of service connection for a bilateral eye disability. The claim for hepatitis C is pending due to remand.