Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for duodenal ulcer and chronic cervical strain, finding that these conditions were first manifested during active service. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection due to a failure to report for a VA examination and an incorrect issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The case is now being returned to the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to the need for medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as for VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, requiring a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest opportunity.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorder, with a separate 20 percent rating assigned for each. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hip, knee, and left ankle disabilities were not found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine and thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to July 3, 2007 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with headaches, is not related to his service. The VA examiner opined that the condition was more likely due to age-related changes rather than an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and lack of information regarding the onset of his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals concerning the claims of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for neck and right shoulder injuries, as well as the Veteran's claim of increased rating for his left knee disability. The decision also dismissed his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records of private medical treatment prior to entry into active service and VA treatment records since April 2012. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification of a March 2010 VA examination report and to ensure that any additional relevant records are obtained. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine arthritis will be evaluated again.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period from February 19, 1982 to March 7, 2004 due to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and cervical arthritis.

The Board has remanded this case for further development and consideration, including scheduling the Veteran for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and heart disability are not related to service, while his neck disability is related. The claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment at the time of his death, thus denying entitlement to TDIU for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2010 VA examination and the need for an opinion regarding his employability.