Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rate of SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection and rating for his claimed cervical spine disorder, shoulder numbness, PTSD, and secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and other issues, including increased ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability is not related to service, and denied his claim. The right knee disability claim requires additional development as per the instructions provided.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and tension headaches have been granted.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for plantar fasciitis of the right foot and left foot are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated medical records. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbosacral spine disability remains at a 10 percent rating prior to December 1, 2011 and at a 20 percent rating thereafter. Separate 10 percent ratings are assigned for right and left circumflex nerve paralysis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from the U.S. Air Force.

The Board has found that further development is needed for VA to fulfill its duties under the VCAA, including obtaining SSA and Workers' Compensation records, as well as private treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine have been granted.,The Board found that DJD was manifested within one year after separation from service and is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a neck and head injury with pain and headaches, respiratory disability, liver disorder, and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder and cervical spine strain, finding that these conditions were incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and prostate cancer, did not render him unemployable prior to May 1, 1997. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is set at May 1, 1997.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for his cervical spine disorder, as it is less likely than not incurred during or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board found no credible evidence of a neck injury in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine disability. The low back disability claim was reopened due to new evidence suggesting it may have preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a need for follow-up requests of private medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for muscle pain of the upper back, right arm and hand, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.,For the claim of service connection for muscle pain of the upper back and right arm/hand, the examiner will determine if these conditions are secondary to service-connected conditions or due to exposure during Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the prior examination report was inadequate and did not address the impact of his service-connected disabilities in combination on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.