Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The claims were reopened based on new evidence received since the final denial of these conditions in 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine, as well as a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed cervical spine disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease (claimed as spinal stenosis and herniated disc) and cervical fusion status post fracture, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right thumb disability, left ankle disability, neck disability, or low back disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not causally or etiologically related to his service, including his period of ACDUTRA. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his employment capacity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are related to his active service. The claims for increased ratings of left knee disability have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its neurological manifestations. The claim is being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and incomplete VCAA notice.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to any in-service injury. The disorder was diagnosed many years after service and is considered a result of his work-related activities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, VA treatment records are sought and a spine examination is scheduled.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 26, 2008 did not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including DDD and cervical spondylosis, is presumed to be due to service. His left shoulder arthritis is also presumed to be due to service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected low back disability. The claim for increased rating of the low back disability from July 21, 2004, to June 10, 2006, was granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis warranting a higher rating. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending as it was not adjudicated by the RO.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to July 14, 2010 and not rated higher than 20 percent from July 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the relationship between his current left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip and neck disabilities, but granted a 10 percent rating for tinnitus and a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability. The initial compensable ratings were assigned for bilateral hearing loss.