Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease is related to his in-service injury, resulting in service connection being granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been REMANDED due to the need for a hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disease with left upper extremity radiculopathy is found to have originated during his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his cervical stenosis, spondylosis at C5, C6, and C7, and degenerative disc disease at C5-6 and C6-7 with neuroforaminal encroachment was denied. The current evaluation is 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and propriety of assigned ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus and service connection for cervical and lumbar spine spondylosis. His request for automobile and adaptive equipment was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and mechanical headaches are caused by her service-connected right shoulder reconstruction with distal clavicle resection osteoplasty and degenerative joint disease, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity disabilities. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Veteran's hypertension was not evaluated in this decision.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to outstanding VA outpatient treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left shoulder pain are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as his right and left hip disabilities, are found to be related to service. The benefit of the doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, sinus infections, and a cervical spine disability. The appeals are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a temporary total rating for convalescence extended to November 1, 2008. The TDIU claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues are about service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, with secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected condition.,For the period prior to December 7, 2006, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion of 45 degrees at worst. For the period from December 7, 2006 through April 23, 2007, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion of 30 degrees with repetitive motion testing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting cervical and lumbar spine disorders did not worsen during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from February to March 1995. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a new videoconference Board hearing. The original issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment and cervical strain remain on appeal.