Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic cervical spine/neck disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic cervical spine/neck disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service fall, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence from Social Security Administration (SSA) that needs to be considered.

The Board denied all of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. The low back disability claim was also denied as there is no evidence that it began during or because of service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records from Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and Peterson Air Force Base for further review of your claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right foot pes planus, left hip disability, cervical spine DDD, shoulder and upper extremity disabilities, lumbar spine DDD, bilateral knee disability, lower extremity nerve disability, fibromyalgia, and left ankle disability. The appeals were based on the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for restrictive lung disease, bilateral foot disability, and cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia and cervical spine strain as there is no current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to his military service or if any aggravation occurred during active duty.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore, TDIU benefits are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current memory loss related to service, including in-service mercury exposure. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran seeks increased evaluations for his service-connected left shoulder disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection. The other claims were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to her military service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection based on a pre-existing low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disabilities are related to his service-connected low back disability or other injuries, as well as whether they are secondary to any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability results in pain limiting his ability to flex his cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, but no ankylosis of the cervical spine. The Board finds that a 30 percent rating is warranted for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for neck disability and residuals from shrapnel wounds. The Veteran's current back condition is deemed to be due to an in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA). His neck disability is not related to his period of active service. Residuals from shrapnel wounds are also not related to service.