Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not manifest within one year of service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service or to any service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to insufficient recent medical evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability with shoulder blade pain and shakiness of knees, and urinary/kidney stone disability are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has determined that a hearing must be scheduled for the Veteran at his current address in California, as he is no longer residing in Tennessee.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected thoracolumbar strain, healed fractures of the ribs, and bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected cervical whiplash injury is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of all evidence on file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with numbness of the upper extremities may be presumed to have been incurred in service due to its presence within one year following separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the right ear hearing loss claim, and that left ear hearing loss did not warrant a compensable evaluation. Service connection was also denied for bilateral foot disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, respiratory disability, neurological disability of lower extremities, sarcoma, bladder condition, enlarged prostate, diverticulitis, and psychiatric disorder due to herbicide exposure.

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

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, but denied reopening of his claim for right shoulder disability. The low back disability is granted based on direct evidence showing a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a nexus opinion on whether the Veteran's current psychiatric disability is causally related to his service or service-connected low back disability. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his service and denied all claims.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, but denied them on the merits. The right shoulder and wrist conditions were not reopened as there was no new and material evidence presented.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's laceration scar of the right hand is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back and neck disabilities, which may be associated with his period of service or manifest within one year of discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent, and thus the claim is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and has therefore remanded the case for further action.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for cervical disc disease without myelopathy and service connection for headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The VA did not find that the Veteran's current left upper extremity complaints were caused by a fault on the part of the VA in providing medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.