Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected scar and for service connection for a cervical spine disability due to potential interrelatedness of issues, including possible new CUE in a prior decision. The RO is instructed to obtain SSA records and provide appropriate notice before adjudicating these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, and a disability of the cervical spine. The claims are currently under review.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected unstable left ankle and granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a claimed bilateral foot disorder. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a travel board hearing. The issues of service connection for cervical spine arthritis and an increased rating for status post fractured left ankle with traumatic arthritis are pending.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral arms and bilateral legs, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, arachnoiditis, bilateral leg condition, bilateral foot condition, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right arm condition, and left arm and shoulder contusion have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and residuals of left arm and shoulder contusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further review of the claims file, including the September 2001 private medical record. The veteran's claim for service connection is also pending regarding a clear and unmistakable error in a February 1980 rating decision.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine, right shoulder, bilateral wrist and knee disabilities have been granted. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction remain pending.

The Board found that the veteran's spinal cord tumor of the neck, resulting in laminectomy, was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection, as there is no medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for additional evidence, including a report of an MRI study.

The veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a motor vehicle accident, including headaches, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, mild joint space narrowing of the bilateral shoulders, and dizziness are granted. The claim for service connection for panic attacks as a residual of a motor vehicle accident is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his neck injury was denied as the earliest date he expressed interest in reopening the claim is August 1, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep impairment, short-term memory loss, and cervical ribs. The other claims have been denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for her service-connected cervical spondylosis, and the RO has requested additional medical records to evaluate her condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed neck injury and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.