Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain all outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for a spine examination. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, including disability of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine.

The appellant's five service-connected disabilities have not precluded substantially gainful employment, thus the requirements for a total evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, cervical spine disorder, left foot injury, and leg numbness and cramping. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was denied. The claims for increased ratings for residuals of a total left knee replacement and degenerative joint disease of the right knee were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess her ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment given her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reopening of his neck disability claim, leading to its dismissal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and a bilateral shoulder condition with numbness in arms, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a neck disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues and potential need for medical examination.

The Board has determined that the decision to deny purchase of a 'Total Gym' for home use as part of an outpatient physical therapy plan is not within its jurisdiction and thus dismisses the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine condition was not found to warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, the low back disability with degenerative disc disease did not meet criteria for a higher evaluation, ureterolithiasis was rated at 10 percent prior to March 14, 2001 and above 10 percent thereafter, plantar fasciitis and heel spur of the right foot were rated as non-compensable, and hypertension was not found to be service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that there is no current disability related to these conditions. The Veteran did not have any treatment for these disabilities in service or after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to address his service-connected left shoulder disability and EMG testing. The claims will also be considered in the context of a possible TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracic spine scoliosis and cervical strain are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no evidence of penile deformity. The Veteran is currently in receipt of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to the cervical spine and left knee DJD were denied as there is no competent medical evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as depressive disorder, is found to be related to her military service. Service connection for cervical/vaginal inflammation and a disorder manifested by dizziness are denied.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability (discogenic disease), trapezius muscle disability, and migraine headaches as the result of provision of training and rehabilitation services provided or authorized by VA under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including refractive eye surgery, low back strain, cervical spine disorder, sleep disorder, left hand disorder, and urticaria.