Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's tinnitus and cervical spine spondylosis have been granted service connection, with the tinnitus having its onset in service. The initial rating for cervical spine disability is set at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and cervical spine disorder have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative in conjunction with the Veteran, and therefore all appeals are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and spine disorder are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service treatment records and VA treatment records, verifying any periods of active duty for training, scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of his blackouts with frequent loss of consciousness, and scheduling an appropriate VA examination to evaluate his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 10 percent from January 25, 2011 to October 15, 2014 and at 30 percent thereafter. The appeal is granted for the higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for further examination regarding his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and foot disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, as it may be related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, and neurological spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she alleges are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed spinal, knee, foot, respiratory and skin disorders are not related to his active duty service or toxic herbicide exposure. The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under VA regulations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine at or below 15 degrees, which is required for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran does not have a left leg disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have a neck disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders are not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.