Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his active duty service. The claim will be re-adjudicated after this additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of flexion to 15 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the cervical or thoracolumbar spine.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that service connection was established but not granted for certain conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical strain, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and arthralgia of the left shoulder are considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's sinusitis and cervical spine disability have been rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, with no further increase in rating being granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's pre-existing spine disorder was aggravated by service, resulting in a current disability. The VA has granted service connection for the Veteran's spinal disorders.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his headaches associated with the cervical spine disability, degenerative arthritis of both knees, are not rated higher than their current levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and neck disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability are not related to service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting VA examinations to evaluate his cervical spine disability and knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbosacral disorder and residuals of a cervical spine fracture with quadriparesis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed prostate cancer and throat disorder.

The Board has determined that the termination of the Veteran's TDIU rating was improper and restored his TDIU rating, effective December 1, 2009.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a tail bone disorder due to lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his current cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if there is a current disability related to service, including exposure to tear gas in Vietnam. The claims of service connection will be adjudicated after this additional development.