Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2012

The Board found that the Veteran's current mid-back and neck disabilities are not related to his military service, including any injuries sustained during a mine explosion in Vietnam. The preponderance of evidence does not support granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a bilateral hand disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was noted during his reserve duty but not in active service. An increased rating for the cervical spine disability requires further examination to determine if the current symptoms are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected left shoulder, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of neck disability service connection has been withdrawn. The issues of back, leg and eye disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left foot disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted this rating. The issues of a higher rating for cervical and thoracic spine disability are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing additional opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's account of sustaining a blow to the top of his head in service is not credible and concluded that the current cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the cervical spine and an increased rating for hemorrhoids, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service. The VA examiner opined that any current cervical spine disability is not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions and assigned a 20% evaluation effective from April 4, 2005. The effective date is not earlier than this as it was received on that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and hearing loss are rated at the lowest possible levels, with no service connection granted for pericarditis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, multiple arthralgias (joint pain), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including amputation of the left lower extremity and other conditions, require regular aid and attendance. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records from SSA and VA medical centers.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities as well as gout of the right hand, elbows, knees, and ankles. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were incurred in active service, granting his claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, including a VA examination of his cervical and thoracic spine disorders, an orthopedic and neurological examination related to his lumbar spine disability, and another examination to determine the etiology of his erectile dysfunction. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, specifically cervical myosfascial syndrome, is related to his service-connected migraine headaches. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for the cervical spine disability is granted.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for any claimed conditions, including TBI, cervical spine/neck disability, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's reported symptoms were not shown to be related to his military service.