Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected bilateral Taylor bunion disability or service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck or cervical spine disability and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The Veteran's neck injury during service is considered, and the private physician's opinion supports this finding.

The Board found that a chronic back disability including back pain with right trapezius muscle spasm and degenerative joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from a private chiropractor and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, neck disability, and fibromyalgia are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current disabilities of these conditions and there is sufficient medical evidence to establish a link between his military service and each condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The initial rating of 20 percent for cervical strain prior to June 5, 2007 was not granted. From June 5, 2007 onwards, a higher rating than 30 percent was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that his claimed conditions were not related to his service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran was also denied a TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the remaining issues to the RO for further evidentiary development, including providing the Veteran with VA examinations. The claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are still pending on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, has not met the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent since January 8, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's knee and neck disabilities are not related to his active service, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is granted, and his hypertension is assigned a noncompensable evaluation prior to January 11, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 10 percent rating for hypertension under Diagnostic Code 7101.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of low back disorder, cervical strain, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral foot strain is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of his representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service or service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development.

The Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities of the hands, feet, legs, back or neck that are related to service. The Board finds no evidence supporting a connection between current symptoms and military service.