Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Board has also granted the requested TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his service in Vietnam and the details of a helicopter crash, as well as to obtain medical records related to his left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing, and he has requested another hearing. The claims of reopening service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, effective June 1, 2005. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 30, 2012 is being remanded due to the change in his disability picture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities. The appeal is pending until further notice.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address whether the Veteran's upper back disability is related to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with chronic lower back pain or other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a maximum of 60 percent since April 29, 2002. His cervical spine disability is rated at a maximum of 30 percent since April 29, 2002. Effective November 29, 2002, the Veteran has been granted TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge is needed due to the Veteran's failure to appear for his scheduled May 2012 Board hearing. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for COPD and a scar, as well as service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The RO is directed to obtain VA treatment records, conduct a new examination for the left arm scar, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination and additional development of records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability and granted it, assigning a 10 percent rating effective October 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and treatment records related to his ankle injury in 1982. He also needs a VA examination to determine the relationship between any current left ankle and leg conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 due to VA medical treatment involving cervical spine surgery in August 1996.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 13, 2009. Effective November 13, 2009, the rating for his cervical spine disability has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive heart disease, hyperactive bladder, right hip disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle sprain, and furunculous of the neck and back, are found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for submission for extra-schedular consideration.