Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a service-connected lumbar spine disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran and her representative withdrawing the appeal. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident. The disabilities were first shown many years after service.

The Veteran's neck disability, including residuals of a cervical spine fracture, is service connected. However, his left knee disability is not service connected as it is not related to his right knee disability or any other in-service injury.,The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine their etiology, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in service, as there was no chronic condition noted at separation. The VA examiner concluded that the conditions are more likely due to aging and degenerative changes rather than service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion and combined range of motion do not more nearly approximate the criteria for such.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a back disability and remanded the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for residuals of a fracture of the left ankle and fibula, as well as whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and bilateral shoulder disabilities that are secondary to the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran is assigned a 30 percent rating for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to service-connected residuals of gunshot wounds.

The Veteran's left shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis and cervical strain are rated at 20 percent each, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, back, hip, shoulder, and knee disabilities are not related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current neck disability is being remanded due to insufficient response from the April 2012 VA examination. The examiner needs to provide a more detailed opinion regarding whether the Veteran's condition is related to his service as a fighter pilot.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, providing proper VCAA notice, scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss, and scheduling examinations for the lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral ankle disabilities, and right elbow disability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a cervical spine disorder, and neuralgia of the jaw before a decision was made by the Board.