Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee strain, DDD of the lower back, and cervical spondylotic changes are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings remain denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia due to in-service tobacco use. The claim for cervical spine disability was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The issues of service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities are being addressed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Canton-Potsdam Hospital from April 1, 2009 to April 3, 2009 are now covered by VA as his condition was not stabilized until April 3, 2009.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2007.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist CTS is likely the result of his active service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted. The right hand disability claim remains pending as a new VA examination is needed to address whether it is secondary to his cervical spine disorder or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and the medications used to treat them, contributed substantially and materially to his death. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially and materially to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his in-service helicopter accident, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability and there is no evidence to support an in-service injury or disease leading to his current condition. The Veteran's service personnel records show he served in combat in Vietnam, but a cervical spine disability is not among the diseases listed for presumptive service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee musculoligamentous strain and tinnitus, finding that there is a medical relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.,Service connection was denied for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to lack of objective findings during VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an increased rating for lumbar spine fusion are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to have originated during service. The Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and back disability. However, the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of neck, bilateral hip, or acquired psychiatric disabilities, and there is no competent medical evidence linking any of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine is causally related to his active service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining pathological materials from the Veteran's cervical spine tumor surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and consideration of all evidence received after the August 2011 SOC.

The Board has recharacterized the issues on appeal to include service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, arthritis of the lumbar spine, and arthritis of the shoulders. The Veteran's claims are granted as his current disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability to service, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The paresthesias of the upper extremities were also not linked to service.