Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the VA examination report is inadequate and remands the case for another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder had its onset in service. The Veteran should also be asked to submit any other information, including private treatment records.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinions are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability. The left foot injury claim is also remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, finding that the Veteran's long history of treatment and current use of allergy medication support a diagnosis of this condition. The other conditions were not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities. The RO should also request any outstanding medical records.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, particularly regarding cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran reported experiencing neck and back pain since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his neck disorder and upper extremity paresthesia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and left wrist posttraumatic arthritic changes. The initial rating of 10 percent for the left wrist disability is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a general disorder of the joints and muscles. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen his left knee disability claim, but denied all other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and is remanding the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since October 1, 2007. The appeal is granted for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability, but further development is needed before these claims can be decided. The Veteran needs to undergo another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a statement of the case regarding his knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical disk disease with intermittent radiculopathy is at least as likely as not incurred in or due to service, specifically his lengthy surgery for cholesteatoma performed in 1994. The condition was not caused by or aggravated by any other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate disabilities of the cervical spine, right shoulder, right wrist, or right hand that are attributable to active service. The VA examiner found no isolated disabilities and provided a rationale for this conclusion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of upper back disability, low back disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The Board finds that these disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, eye disability (refractive error), right and left knee patellar tendonitis, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left hip degenerative joint disease. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy, is related to her service due to continuous symptoms following separation from active duty. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.