Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has ordered the RO to obtain the veteran's National Guard service records and remand the case for further development. The issues of entitlement to service connection for primary cerebellar degenerative disease and a cervical spine disorder remain on appeal.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized by radiating pain and limited range of motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and depression. The claim for increased evaluation of thoracic outlet syndrome was also denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a chronic back disability other than arthritis of the lumbar spine, arthritis of the shoulders, and arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine. The veteran's claims are denied.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for new and material evidence, service connection, and evaluation issues due to outstanding records and inadequate medical assessments.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and opinion to determine if the veteran's current cervical neck disability is related to his service-connected residuals, compression fracture of L-1 vertebra, with radiculopathy, right lower extremity. The appeal will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional medical records and for further development of the claims.

The veteran has withdrawn all issues from appeal, including those related to increased ratings and service connection. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal as it is dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left knee disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision is based on the lack of evidence supporting the requested ratings or connections.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for gout, a cervical spine disorder, and a lumbar spine disorder. The VA examiners concluded that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability, and his claim for TDIU is denied. The cause of death due to claimed in-service radiation exposure or herbicide cannot be established.

The Board is remanding the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining additional AANG personnel and medical records. The appellant's claims will be reviewed in light of all evidence obtained since the last SOC.

The Board has determined that the veteran's knee, shoulder, ankle, and spine conditions need further examination to determine their etiology. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a cervical or lumbar spine disability that is related to his period of service, including due to alleged inservice radiation exposure.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic cervical arthralgias with progressive paresthesias of the bilateral ulnar nerve distribution was denied. The issue regarding service connection for residuals of a head injury and multiple sclerosis were also addressed, but no specific decision is provided.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder (pain disorder) due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The cervical spine and left shoulder disorders were also denied as they did not develop during or as a result of service.,Service connection was not granted because the veteran's current conditions are not linked to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits, finding that she had been rehabilitated to the point of employability and her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining suitable employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical and thoracic strain with osteophytes, and anxiety disorder. The maximum schedular ratings were assigned.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was related to his duties as an airborne ranger during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The initial 30 percent rating for PTSD is also confirmed.