Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board is reopening the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, but remanding them to the RO for further development due to a lack of a VA compensation examination addressing their etiology.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine, and entitlement to service connection for right arm numbness, including as secondary to degenerative disc disease, cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the scheduling of a new VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his increased rating claims on appeal.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and a neurological disability of the left upper extremity, as his symptoms did not manifest in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The VA examinations provided clear opinions against these claims.

The Veteran's cervical disorder is found to be as likely as not caused by his service-connected low back disorder, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and a new VA examination. The examiner will provide opinions on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for a left shoulder disorder.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, with no other significant issues addressed. The service connection for left shoulder disorder has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed disorders and the Board finds that they are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active service. The right shoulder disability claim resulted in a 20 percent rating, but no higher.

Service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease was granted, effective January 26, 2009. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were not service connected.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, hypertension, a respiratory disability including lung nodules, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, kidney cysts, and skin cancer due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Veteran's neck injury during service is being reviewed for potential service connection, and a VA examination will be scheduled to determine the relationship between his current cervical spine condition and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical dysplasia with left pelvic pain does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as her symptoms are not controlled by continuous treatment and she is currently asymptomatic.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, depression, right shoulder disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and chronic headaches. These conditions are presumed to be related to his active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's reports of numbness and pain during service are to be considered in any new opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to his active military service, and therefore grants the claim.