Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the current nature and severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn their appeal.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his right ankle disability. These claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, as well as a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to incomplete records from the Alabama National Guard. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or for many years thereafter. The VA examinations did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current lumbar, cervical, left hand, right hand, and GERD disabilities and his active service or any service-connected disability. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical and thoracic spine is related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The issue regarding PTSD remains pending as it involves other diagnosed psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence does not support a grant of benefits in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for further development due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether his left eye ptosis is a congenital defect or disease, and for issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for thoracic spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected conditions, and the Board finds that the appellant does not have competent medical evidence to support her claim. As a result, she is not entitled to burial benefits based on the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted an increase in rating beyond the assigned 10 percent.

The Veteran's tinnitus was incurred during his first period of active duty service from December 2008 to January 2010.,The Veteran has a current right knee disorder and the evidence is in equipoise as to whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's additional disabilities were not caused by VA medical treatment, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of a February 2013 VA examination, and an additional VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease were not found to be related to service, resulting in a denial of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying the Veteran's duty status during his service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service. The remaining claims for service connection for left elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, residuals of a left-side rib injury, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the right shoulder claim. The cervical spine disability was not found to be related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the Veteran with VA examinations and medical opinions in connection with his claims.