Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if any current joint disorders are related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed thoracolumbar, cervical spine disorders, and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, and his lumbar spine, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been granted effective from November 13, 2009.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for cervical spine disorder (cervical strain with degenerative disc disease) is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck or cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not etiologically related to an event, disease, or injury of service origin.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's left upper extremity neurological disability (numbness) did not manifest during service and is not etiologically related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining inpatient psychiatric treatment records from Landstube Germany and Bethesda Naval Hospital, as well as additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service fall, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was previously denied in October 2006. New and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim to be reopened.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability as it is attributable to active duty service.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating, with no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment due to pain or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to active service. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right elbow disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and exposure basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's current neck disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing documents from the appellant's healthcare providers and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation assistance.