Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that additional development is required due to the denial of service connection for PTSD and cervical spine osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further investigation into his claimed in-service stressors and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine is being remanded due to inadequate opinion from the VA examiner. The Board will seek an addendum opinion that considers the continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder preexisted her military service and was not aggravated by such service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The VA Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not service-connected, as they likely pre-existed her military service or were aggravated by natural progression of aging. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected mechanical low back pain and whether his neck disability may be related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on four issues: lumbar strain and chronic low back pain with spondylosis, tinea cruris, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain with narrowing of disc space prior to September 29, 2008, or for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for neurological impairment of the right upper extremity prior to March 15, 2013. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for neurological impairment of the left upper extremity was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in the aggregate, preclude him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were aggravated by his service-connected residuals of low back strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU as he does not have a single disability rated at least 40 percent disabling. The Board finds that referral to VA officials for entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability on an extraschedular basis is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dermatologic disability of the feet and scalp is service-connected, but his cervical spine, bilateral hip/ pelvic, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is not granted any benefits at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's current ringing in his ears is related to his service. The other issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA and workers' compensation records, as well as a VA examination. The issues include increased ratings for low back strain and cervical strain, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient review of private treatment records and lay statements, and a need for an addendum from the August 2011 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical and thoracic spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected conditions warranted higher evaluations prior to July 8, 2003.