Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining additional medical records and verifying stressors. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for these steps.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and back disabilities are related to his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development due to missing medical records and other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and a neck disability on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's neck, right and left ankle, and left elbow disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right foot disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine DJD. The Veteran's testimony, combined with medical opinions, is at least in equipoise as to whether his current cervical spine DJD is causally connected to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment and personnel records from Reserve service and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any cervical spine, left shoulder, or thoracic spine disability is related to Reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that the earliest possible effective dates were September 12, 2011 (PTSD), December 12, 2008 (headaches), and October 13, 2009 (left trapezius muscle strain).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and cervical spine disorder are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim of TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including adjudication of other claims and consideration of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Cervical Spine Disorder issue will be considered as either service connected or non-service connected with full explanation.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, a neck disability, and left ankle disability. However, the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a new VA medical examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck condition and bilateral arms and hands neuropathy are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence showing a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and arranging for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and attempting to locate a specific VA form from 1992.