Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and relevant post-service medical records. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of his migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, GERD, gastritis, and residuals of cholecystectomy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board found no credible evidence of a neck injury in service and concluded that the current neck disability is not related to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, cervical and lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand, leg, head injury residuals, and acquired psychiatric disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preexisting conditions were determined to have existed prior to service and were not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that there is no longer a case or controversy with respect to the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 29, 2006, for a combined 100 percent disability rating. The issues have been dismissed as moot due to the finding of CUE in the July 1985 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, left eye/eyelid disability, and warts/virus. The Veteran was granted service connection for his thoracic spine disability in November 1999.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated again, and his testimony regarding a parachute jump injury during service will be considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions did not begin during active service, nor are they otherwise related to military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from September 1, 2006 to July 13, 2009. From September 1, 2006, the disability has not been found to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not resulted in unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending issues and requests for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disorder are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and securing treatment records. The issues of service connection are the primary focus.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied by the RO in June 2005, and he appealed. The effective date of his TDIU award is March 19, 2003, as it aligns with the date service connection for PTSD was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back trauma, cervical strain, linear fracture of frontal and maxillary sinuses, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep problems. The issues are related to willful misconduct during active service.