Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine conditions are not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore, denied service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinion is necessary to address the question of etiology for the Veteran's HTN. Clarification is also needed as to the VA examiner's July 2012 opinion regarding the cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's current back disability was not manifest during active service or within the first post-service year, and is not shown to be otherwise related to his active service. The Board finds no evidence connecting his current back disability with activities he engaged in during service.

The case is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a hearing for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete information in the claims file.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn, and her right knee degenerative joint disease was denied.

The Board has found that the currently demonstrated ulnar neuropathy at right elbow was caused by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and requesting an updated opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain has not been manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine less than or equal to 15 degrees, and her back condition was not caused or aggravated by her service-connected cervical strain.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and rated at 20 percent effective November 25, 2008. The other issues have not been resolved.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including migraines, left hip strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee degenerative joint disease, and cervical spine osteodegenerative disease. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request. The issues on appeal include service connection claims and a reopening of a previous claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine whether the Veteran currently has a cervical spine disability related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents. The claim for service connection will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including associated neurological impairment, has been evaluated as 40 percent disabling under the applicable rating criteria. The Board denied a higher extra-schedular rating based on evidence of exceptional or unusual disability.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and chronic headaches and his military service, and denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left foot and leg disabilities. The diabetes mellitus disability is also considered secondary to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition, including cervical spondylosis, was not present until many years after service and is not related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.