Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, bilateral hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being sent back for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that new evidence establishes current disabilities. Service connection is granted based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not manifest within one year of separation and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms since service. The VA examiner found it less likely than not related to his service, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, TBI residuals with MDD, and cervico-genic headaches are all granted increased ratings. The Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for his cervico-genic headaches.

The Board denied service connection for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted after September 2005.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to attend to many of the activities of daily living without regular assistance from a personal caregiver, warranting SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding the reduction in disability rating for prostate cancer and denied his request to restore SMC at the housebound rate due to lack of a single 100% rated disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine or neck disability and low back disability, as secondary to a service-connected knee condition are denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations and remanded the cases for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint and disc disease and right leg sciatica as secondary to the thoracolumbar disability. The cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of mild degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for a cervical spine disability is September 1, 1996. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are associated with his service-connected cervical spine disability. Service connection for glaucoma has been granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for left upper extremity disability and cervical spine disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 29, 2011 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted with an effective date of August 27, 2002. The Board found that the earliest date on which a claim to reopen could be considered is August 27, 2002.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of entrance examination records and to obtain an opinion on whether her cervical spine disability is related to or aggravated by service, as well as whether it is secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right ankle disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine disability from December 4, 1994 to March 23, 1997 was granted at a 10 percent level. The appeal is denied for higher ratings throughout the period on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a low back disability, with the examiner concluding that it is less likely than not related to in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his neck injury during service. Additional evidence is needed, including private and VA treatment records, and an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connection due to in-service motor vehicle accident.,Service connection for fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness during active duty in Southwest Asia is granted. The Veteran has experienced continuous fatigue symptoms since service.,Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are denied, with the opinion that memory loss is more likely related to posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding the glaucoma rating.