Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2013

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in service. The evidence does not show a current disability related to military service.

The Board finds no credible evidence of an in-service event that can be related to the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder and C-5 radiculopathy, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for consideration of additional evidence, including a private myelogram showing neurological impairment in both upper extremities. The case will be readjudicated with this new information.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain and her TDIU claim are being considered together as part of one issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and sinusitis. The case will be remanded for a new examination and opinion from an examiner who reviewed all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and cervical radiculopathy are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current residuals of fracture to the cervical spine are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, and thus denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypercholesterolemia, right hip disability, left hip disability, neuropsychiatric condition (depression), cervical spine disability, bilateral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, degenerative joint disease of the knees, bulging disc and herniation, degenerative changes of the ankles, and thoracic paravertebral myositis were denied. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the claims for increase.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and thoracolumbar spine traumatic arthritis have been rated at the maximum available benefit, with no further increase in ratings granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an outstanding hearing request by the Veteran. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a VLJ at the Hartford RO.

The Board found that a cervical spine disorder is not the result of an in-service disease or injury, and is not related to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent effective December 12, 2011.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine is now rated at 30 percent effective December 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of factual and medical evidence, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA medical opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are due to injuries sustained during his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis conditions to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the current severity of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.