Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine fracture (C-7) is an unforeseen result of his January 2011 colonoscopy and polypectomy procedure, which was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to a motor vehicle accident in July 1967 or if they were caused by a pre-existing left hip fracture.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to his active military service or any disability incurred therein.,Left side pleurisy due to plural scarring associated with the service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis does not warrant a separate compensable disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's neck condition and determine if it is related to his service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability. The Veteran had pre-existing neck pain prior to his entry into active duty, but this condition was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits has been granted. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, as well as the claims for PTSD, back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and traumatic brain injury have also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical facet syndrome, headaches associated with the cervical spine disability, and low back disability do not render her unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure of the Veteran to appear for a VA examination and lack of recent VA treatment records. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and fatigue syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is not related to his service-connected retained fragments, neck, residuals shrapnel wounds and therefore denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia and degenerative disease of the cervical spine, but denied service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Air Force Reserve service records and clarifying dates of active duty service. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, headaches, and balance impairment. Service connection was granted for residuals of septoplasty.

The Board dismissed the motion to review the July 2011 decision denying service connection for bilateral pes planus, neck disability, and reopening and denying service connection for back disability due to the withdrawal of the motion.

The Veteran's right leg and ankle conditions, as well as his cervical spine condition, are found to be secondary to his service-connected left ankle fracture.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing surgical records from a cervical discectomy performed in April 2010. The Veteran's service connection claims for upper back and neck condition, as well as migraine headaches secondary to these conditions, will be reconsidered after obtaining the necessary medical records.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for accrued benefits based on her husband's pending service connection claim at the time of his death, as evidenced by the Veteran's death certificate and medical opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine osteoarthritis, degenerative disc osteophyte complex disorder, and radiculopathy are not related to service.

The Veteran's neck disability claim was withdrawn at the April 2011 hearing.,Service connection for a right knee disorder is not established as his current right knee disorder did not manifest in or within one year of service and does not relate to an in-service injury or disease.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability with instability is denied as the Veteran's left knee has intermediate instability and no patellar subluxation or dislocation.,A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability with loss of range of motion is denied as his left knee has flexion between 0 and 115 degrees with some pain, normal left knee extension without pain, and intermittent swelling.