Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran did not suffer from gunshot wound residuals of the right shoulder, a neck disability, or a low back strain during service. The skin disorder was also not linked to exposure to Agent Orange. As such, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were manifested on active duty service and have been continuously present since service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to provide proper VCAA notice and to determine if there is new and material evidence for reopening claims of service connection for neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum to the VA examination report regarding his adjustment disorder with mixed features.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, was found to be related to service. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic spine and knee disabilities were granted with a rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is found to be causally related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities as well as chronic headaches due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to May 28, 2008 and increased to 30 percent effective May 28, 2008. The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy was also granted a 10 percent rating effective May 28, 2008.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and skin disorders are not shown to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a hearing in San Antonio, Texas due to the Veteran's inability to travel to Washington DC. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and low back disability. The claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is remanded, as well as the reopened claim of service connection for cervical spine disability (on the merits).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to active service. The cervical spine issue was withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have multilevel cervical degenerative disc/joint disease that is related to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, SSA disability benefits records, and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a misstated age in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to schedule a hearing. He is requested to appear for either a Travel Board or videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were increased to 40 percent effective February 28, 2007. The rating was also granted for impairment of sphincter control.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck and right knee disorders are related to her active service, granting service connection for these conditions.