Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each since their initial grant of service connection. The current ratings are maintained as the evidence does not show that the conditions meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence. The issues include cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, left knee arthralgias, cervical neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral spondylolysis at L-5.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as there is no direct evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's assertions regarding continuity of symptoms were considered but outweighed by the lack of contemporaneous medical records and the absence of any mention of neck injuries during treatment for shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being reviewed again for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper back and shoulders disorder is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, and lower spine disorders.

The VA examiner found no direct link between the Veteran's current neck disability and his service-connected right shoulder and wrist disabilities, concluding that the cervical spondylosis is more likely due to aging musculoskeletal deconditioning.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability with headaches and right upper extremity disability, including degenerative changes of the right shoulder. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain issue is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine appropriate rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is found to have its onset during service and is related thereto, granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to assess the severity of his spine and knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine did not cause or aggravate his left shoulder, left hand/wrist, and cervical spine disorders. The case was remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the cervical spine did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities' impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's current mailing address.