Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected mechanical low back pain, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial compensable evaluation for cervical adenopathy and the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, left knee disability, and cervical spine disability. The claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shin splints/compartment syndrome, cervical strain with disc herniation, and thoracic strain are related to his active service. The claims for neck and back disabilities have been granted as direct service connection is established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues are whether he should receive a higher disability evaluation for his right knee condition and if he can establish service connection for his cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not have their onset in active service, nor are they related to a disease or injury during active service.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected back and neck disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and shrapnel injuries, played a substantial and material causal role in his death from end stage congestive heart failure.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective March 1, 2004. The appellant is eligible for DEA benefits starting from either the date of the rating decision (March 9, 2011) or any date between March 1, 2004 and March 9, 2011 chosen by the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for non-service-connected disability pension benefits was granted effective June 15, 2006. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date due to his employment status and medical conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine arthritis and right foot disorder.

The Board has determined that a new examination is necessary for the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical dystonia claims due to the passage of time since the last VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical dystonia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that his current condition was not manifested during active military service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his active military service.