Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and special monthly compensation. The claim of reopening a previously denied lumbosacral strain with left sciatic neuritis was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his right hip disability and service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical spondylosis, and pleurisy. The claim of CUE in the October 1958 rating decision was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical carcinoma, specifically regarding her exposure to carcinogens in jet fuel during active duty.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected as it is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1958. The claims for increased ratings and compensation for nonsuppurative otitis media with hearing loss are also dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual picture, as his symptoms are adequately contemplated by the rating schedule. Therefore, he is not entitled to an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was aggravated by active service, and his bilateral upper extremity neuropathy is secondary to a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess her cervical dysplasia and thoracic/lumbar strain with lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's cervical or lumbar spine disability and her military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine spondylosis and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for divided left Achilles tendon was withdrawn prior to a decision. The case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for disabilities of the hips and pelvis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his ability to work due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his cervical spine disability and service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including as secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as another examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and varicose veins.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posterior disc protrusions (C4-7) of the cervical spine and a lower back condition, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the cervical spine claim. The lower back condition claim was also denied as there is no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not etiologically related to military service, but rather due to age-related changes. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to incomplete records and further investigation is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left arm, cervical (neck), and left shoulder disorders. The lumbar spine disorder was previously granted in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, a vision disability, and a cervical spine disability were denied as they are not shown to be related to service or any service-connected condition.