Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome, finding no current diagnoses of these conditions. The claim to reopen a previously denied cervical spine disorder is remanded due to new evidence showing degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining missing service treatment records and conducting appropriate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or post-service, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence to support his assertions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several issues including bilateral tinnitus, left hand disability, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, residuals of latent TB, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left foot neuropathy, right foot neuropathy, a back disability, and a neck disability. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, pharyngitis with cervical lymphadenopathy, and ankylostomiasis do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his non-service-connected physical disabilities. The Board denied entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities reached 100% effective July 31, 2012. The Board found that he was not entitled to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 3, 2009.,From April 3, 2009, the Veteran met the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU but his application indicated he was enrolled in college courses and pursuing environmental technology.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for sleep apnea as secondary to depression, and high blood pressure is considered not related to service. Service connection for depression was found to be proximately due to service-connected wrist and shoulder disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for impingement syndrome with degenerative changes and rotator cuff tears in the right shoulder, left shoulder tendonitis and degenerative joint disease at the AC joint, residuals of fracture left distal radius with ankylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including a lack of VA medical opinion and rationale for the private medical statement.

The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.§ 1151 for breathing problems was reopened and granted.,The claim for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.§ 1151 for residuals of cervical spine surgery was denied.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to inadequate notice and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder. The claim for sleep apnea was granted but secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck and shoulder conditions, migraines, and blackouts are related to an in-service event (hatch falling on his head).

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was granted at a 30 percent level, effective from September 2, 2004. The other issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability related to active service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for a cervical spine disability, service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to a cervical spine disability, and service connection for chest pain as secondary to a cervical spine disability. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for postoperative scars of the left shoulder, and denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for status post Bankart repair of the left shoulder. The Veteran's depression was granted at 100% effective April 19, 2007, but his other appeals were denied.