Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back pain and cervical spine disabilities, including any related neurological manifestations.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of all appropriate theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, increased evaluations for his right eye cataract and cervical spine arthritis, and a compensable rating for gastritis and gastroenteritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spondylosis had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including whether the Veteran's current cervical and degenerative joint disease are related to any federalized period of service in the West Virginia Air National Guard.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. T.S., and readjudicating the claim of service connection for a spinal disorder on both direct and secondary bases.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to have been aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran is also granted nonservice-connected pension due to his other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is causally related to an injury sustained during active service. The claim for depression, secondary to a service-connected disability, remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of varicose veins and a right arm and shoulder condition (claimed as bilateral arm condition) were not addressed. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was denied, while his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for hypothyroidism was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and generalized sensory neuropathy are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary theory of connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and fibromyalgia or sciatica were not found to be related to service, and the Board denied these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of his cervical spine disability. The case will be readjudicated after the examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, prostate cancer, a chronic sleep disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disability.,All issues were found to be without merit.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is requested to undergo VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current cervical and lumbar spine disability and its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred during his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected and his claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is etiologically related to his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.