Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any chronic injury or disease during service, nor do symptoms of these conditions manifest since separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral knee disabilities (post-total knee arthroplasty).

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a December 2009 remand, and the Veteran's neck disability is being referred for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective February 24, 2010, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current colon disability other than hemorrhoids, and his cervical spine and tongue disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder and neck disabilities, and left index finger disabilities. The Veteran appealed only the denial of reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's cervical disc protrusion has been rated at 20 percent since February 9, 2011. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and providing a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder are both under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as they did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty or during a period of training duty. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of neck scar, service connection for psychiatric disability and cervical spine disability, and special monthly compensation based on a spouse's need for aid and attendance were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated weakness are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left foot fracture, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to January 24, 2005 for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability and his claims of service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a claim before January 24, 2005, which is when he filed his petition to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected low back and right shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the AMC for further action.

The Board found that the evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran has a current cervical spine or cervical radiculopathy disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and he is now entitled to a 30% evaluation for his cold injury residuals of the feet. Service connection has not been established for cervical or lumbar spine disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability, degenerative joint disease and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated during service and are not related to his service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy.