Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining VA medical records. A new VA examination will be conducted to assess the severity of his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been dismissed as the April 2004 submissions were not timely notices of disagreement to the January 2002 rating decisions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, including due to herbicide exposure. As such, service connection was denied.

The claim for a higher evaluation of diabetes mellitus, type II is granted and the effective date is set at March 18, 2004. Service connection for hyperlipidemia, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Veteran's cervical and low back disabilities are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical stenosis and spondylosis is denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current neck and headache disorders to his service, including a parachute jump injury. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims due to exposure to ionizing radiation, including an examination of the Veteran's occupational history and potential exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate reasons and bases in previous decisions, as well as other procedural issues.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder as it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of throbbing shoulder pain, bilateral wrist disorder, and a disability rating greater than 30 percent for service-connected abdominal hysterectomy due to endometriosis have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal concerning these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with VA's duty to notify and assist, including obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his condition.

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

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether any identified disorder of the Veteran's cervical spine had onset during his service, was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected acromioclavicular separation, left shoulder, and if so, whether it is at least as likely as not that any identified disorder of the Veteran's cervical spine was due to a post-service work injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and cervical disc disease have been reopened. The claim of service connection for major depressive disorder remains granted. A compensable rating for scars of the right shoulder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine conditions are not service-connected, as they are not shown to have manifested during or been caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disorder, cervical and thoracolumbar spine condition, or lumbar spine disorder that is related to his service-connected residuals of a through and through gunshot wound. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD) and a disability of the neck, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.