Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claims is warranted, including obtaining SSA and OWCP records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his left shoulder and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is also pending.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated medical records, and further development.

The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 20% since December 5, 2007. Prior to that date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for increased evaluation of the lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic cervical or lumbar spine disorder during service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any current disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and cervical OPLL were not related to his service, including exposure to herbicide agents like Agent Orange. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for new etiology opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck disorder, primarily diagnosed as cervical disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is not related to his service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for traumatic hypertrophic arthritis of the cervical spine was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to address the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD based on in-service personal assault. The VA will obtain relevant medical records from SSA and schedule examinations to determine if any current psychiatric or neurological conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is currently evaluated at 10 percent disabling, and the evidence does not show an exceptional disability picture that would render the available schedular evaluation inadequate.

The case is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations to determine the Veteran's current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of the claimed conditions during or since service, and they are not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his cervical spine and lumbar strain conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding records. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded pending this development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.