Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his headache symptoms and additional development regarding his cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder and headaches are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic headache disorder during service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The Board also noted that any headaches are not related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The neck disability claim is also denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent initial rating effective September 26, 2003. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right ankle.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of his periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as a new VA examination to address the etiology of his cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is service-connected, with no new and material evidence presented for his claim of a peripheral nerve condition. The issue of secondary service connection for cubital tunnel syndrome remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence following cervical spine surgery is denied as the surgery and recovery occurred prior to the effective date of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to December 31, 2009 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by or contributed to his service-connected disabilities, and thus denied both the cause of death claim and the DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board found that the Veteran's DJD of both thoracolumbar and cervical spine did not originate in service, nor is it otherwise etiologically related to service. The claim was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted reconsideration of the previously denied claim for service connection for depression and has reopened the claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension. The decision on the matter of service connection for congestive heart failure is pending.

Your claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted, effective as of May 31, 2007. The appeal is dismissed as the issues are no longer in dispute.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as dental treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine condition and loss of teeth claim are both pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy, hiatal hernia, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea as the condition had its onset within one year of separation from service.,For all conditions, the decision is based on direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bronchial disorder and neck disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records from various VA facilities and a Texas state prison. The case will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.