Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, neck, bilateral foot, bilateral hip, and arthritis of hands disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show a current disability or indicate that any current disability is related to service.

The case is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including to his service-connected knee disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and prostate cancer, as well as his claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability and thoracolumbar spine (low back) disability are not service-connected due to lack of credible evidence supporting an in-service injury or connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private treatment records from Dr. Hernandez.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his local RO. The issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation and service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities of back, neck, right knee, or left knee for which service connection can be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected status post cervical spine C1-C2 posterior surgery for chiari malformation, status post craniotomy has not resulted in unfavorable or favorable ankylosis. The disability is rated as 30 percent disabling under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, bilateral hearing loss, a right hand disability, headaches, a neck disability, and a low back disability.

The Board denied reopening of service connection for a low back disorder in April 2006, finding no new evidence to establish a link between the current condition and service.,The Board also denied reopening of service connection for a cervical spine disorder in April 2006, finding no new evidence to establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes were initially rated as noncompensable (0 percent) and later increased to 10 percent effective January 4, 2006. The Board found that the disability warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 17, 2008.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is found to be aggravated by his service-connected low back disability, and the cervical spine disability is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. Service connection for both conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting another VA examination. The Veteran asserts that his current neck disability may be related to exposure to toxins at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining private records for the Veteran's hearing loss and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his hypertension and back/neck disorders are related to service. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine, degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine, and COPD with fibrothorax of the left lung due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 1, 2009.