Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting congenital fusion of the C2-3 vertebrae with degenerative disc disease at C3 through C7 was aggravated during service, and his headaches are secondary to his cervical spine disability. The Veteran's dorsal (thoracic) spine disorder is also considered secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection, rating for cervical spine disorder, and rating for sinusitis are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability due to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The September 2005 VA examiner did not address the Veteran's complaints of upper extremity numbness and pain, which occurred shortly after his July 8, 1998, in-service accident.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is unrelated to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability secondary to lumbar spine disability remains under further evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is causally related to his active duty service, while his back disability was not shown by medical evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their CUE motion regarding the June 8, 2011 decision denying increased disability ratings for various conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbosacral strain, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, degenerative spondylosis at T10-11, sacral strain with left sacral torsion, bilateral sciatica, and bladder incontinence, are not service-connected.

The Board finds that the appellant's cervical spine disability is causally related to his active service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for increased ratings and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, including a need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder is service-connected as secondary to his cervical spine condition. His degenerative changes, cervical spine status post C6-7 fusion are currently rated at 20 percent and his bilateral hip disorder has not been evaluated separately.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and updating treatment records.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his cervical spine disability and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination in determining the etiology of his current disabilities. The Veteran must undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis, and cervical spine disability, to include osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including papillomas of the vocal cord, low back disability, and injuries to his heels and ankles. The Board found no current disabilities related to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated disc of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or neurologic manifestations.