Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective from August 14, 2001.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The diagnoses were not related to the service-connected condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and service medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy during flare-ups, and completing development on issues related to neck and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification of the degrees of range of motion lost due to pain during flare-ups and repetitive motion, as well as a new examination if necessary. The Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities will be reviewed for increased disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is caused by his service-connected bilateral wrist disabilities, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability caused or aggravated his claimed spinal and elbow disabilities. The case is to be returned to the Board for further appellate review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical sprain and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that further review of the X-ray films, CT scans and MRIs is necessary to determine if the Veteran has ankylosis of the cervical spine. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Board hearing at his local VA office.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent effective February 9, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted as of January 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including determining precise dates of active duty training and inactive duty training. The appellant's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral leg numbness are service-connected, with the cervical spine disorder not being service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal prior to the Board issuing a final decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for visual problems, tinnitus, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% based on its current manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, both shoulders, and lumbosacral spine. The appeal seeking a TDIU rating is being remanded due to its interdependence with these grants.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and further review is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to address the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.