Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received from the Veteran, and all outstanding VA treatment records should be obtained. The claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities will be reconsidered with consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine surgery required convalescence until May 24, 2006. The extension of the temporary total disability rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records, scheduling examinations, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete medical records and lack of information regarding the Veteran's January 1987 motor vehicle accident.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination to determine the origins of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy have not been shown to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the upper extremities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, but denied service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury due to lack of competent and persuasive evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and granted it on its merits, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran's current condition likely began during his military service due to an injury sustained while aboard a ship.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, effective from the date of the original grant of service connection. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are not shown to be due to any event or incident of his service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was received on July 10, 1986. The Board accepted jurisdiction over the issue and granted service connection in April 2005 with an effective date of June 16, 2004.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from May 6, 2004 to August 1, 2008 and increased to 20 percent since August 2, 2008. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms as per VA criteria for spinal disorders.

The VA determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, determining SSA disability benefits status, scheduling a VA orthopedic examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for a sinus disorder and a cervical spine disorder, as the preponderance of the evidence does not link these conditions to his military service.