Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The RO denied service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right knee disorder, as well as thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders. The Veteran did not appeal these decisions.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral wrist condition, which may be related to service or other factors.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, arthralgia of the knees, myofascial syndrome, and a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that there is new and material evidence to support this claim. The reduction in the rating for the thoracic spine disability from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper, as it did not meet the criteria for such a reduction. The Veteran's current disability evaluation for his thoracic spine remains at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine or lumbar spine disability, and there is no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The Board denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and hypertension are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded to allow review of additional medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervical strain and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been granted. The Board found that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury due to incomplete development and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's address.

The VA denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, concluding that there is no evidence of a current disability during or after service and attributing any present condition to post-service factors.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 3, 2004 for the grant of service connection for cervical spine arthritis is granted. The effective date will be set at June 24, 1993.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder and finds that her current low back disorder is related to an injury sustained during active military service. The Board also finds that her current cervical spine disorder is related to an injury sustained during active military service, but was not resolved prior to separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case to the Pittsburgh RO for a video conference hearing and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of neck and upper back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening of these conditions due to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's bowel incontinence is found to be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy secondary to facet syndrome with sclerosis, lumbosacral spine, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new examination and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to a procedural error in the December 1969 rating decision, which did not notify him of his denial. The Board will consider these matters as new and material evidence is not required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, asthma, memory loss, fatigue, and degenerative disc disease (cervical spine) due to lack of new and material evidence for the skin rash claim. The Board also found that there was no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current conditions to his active duty.