Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing cervical spine condition was aggravated by his active service, and granted service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical, thoracic spine, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neurological disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine (neck) disorder are found to be causally or etiologically due to his in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection is also granted for depression, as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis and headaches are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and service connection. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining records of any treatment received. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include left leg injury, cervical spine fracture, and amputation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, brain aneurysm, and soft tissue deterioration/sarcoma have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a psychiatric disability other than PTSD, cervical spine disability, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, left hand disability to include frostbite residuals, and right hand disability to include frostbite residuals have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including rescheduling VA examinations and scheduling a hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and whether they render him unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease L4-L5 with chronic low back pain, effective as of the date of decision. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is also granted and a separate compensable rating is assigned for neurologic impairment of the right lower extremity associated with this condition. A TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not caused by his military service.,Service connection was denied for a lumbar spine disability due to lack of chronicity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities did not have their onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and are not causally related to service. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding development needed, including VA examinations for head trauma and cervical spine disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, upper back, and neck disabilities are not attributable to service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent effective October 11, 2006.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, as he had been receiving a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for over ten years prior to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy, status post laminotomy, discectomy, and foraminotomy, as well as her lower back disability (DDD and DJD), are not related to service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for headaches, which he claims are secondary to a traumatic brain injury sustained in service. The Board is concerned that there may be a relationship between his headaches and his service-connected cervical strain with muscle spasm.

The Veteran's appeals have been resolved by the RO, and he has received staged ratings for his disabilities. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided.