Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic and neurologic examination to clarify his back diagnoses and determine whether his claimed cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are related to his service-connected ankylosing spondylitis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left upper extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, characterized as multi-level degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings granted. The Board has found that the current ratings are appropriate based on the objective findings from VA examinations.

The evidence does not show a current disability of the neck/cervical spine related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral HNP, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck and back disabilities, as well as a VA examination to ascertain the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the hands.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim for a psychiatric disorder. The cervical spine strain claim was also denied as there is no medical opinion linking it to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a neck disorder, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim for service connection for a neck disorder is remanded due to the need for an examination.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right knee, obstructive lung disease, and cervical strain.

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for weakness of his upper and lower extremities, which he claims is related to a cervical spine injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that neither the Veteran's military service nor his service-connected bilateral lower extremity neurovascular disorder caused or contributed to his death. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was respiratory failure, COPD, fractured cervical vertebra, and vascular dysfunction-atherosclerotic heart disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine and right sided numbness disorders are related to his military service or to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral degenerative medial joint compartment degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being examined to determine if it is secondary to his now service-connected bilateral knee disorder.

The Veteran's residuals of a cold injury, including peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, are found to be related to service.,The Veteran's right hand and arm disability is found to be related to service.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, weakness in legs, and laceration on the back. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these disabilities and active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and needs to readjudicate the service connection claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his claim for TDIU is granted.