Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee, and right knee.,Service connection is denied for hypertension and thyroid disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current psychiatric or sleep disorder, and the left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability due to insufficient examination findings. The examiner is requested to address the Veteran's credible lay statements regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's postoperative right femur fracture with anterior cruciate injury is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5257.,Right knee limitation of motion has been rated at 10 percent since July 2008. The current range of motion does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of any bilateral shoulder and/or cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his bilateral shoulder disability and cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected right knee, left ankle, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of cervical spine degenerative disc disease is considered etiologically related to his active duty service, with the opinion of a VA physician supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's right elbow olecranon spur with limitation in motion is granted service connection. The cervical spine condition and headache condition are denied.

The Veteran's neck disability, including cervical degenerative osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected. The upper back disability claim was referred to the AOJ for further consideration. The hypertension and Meniere's syndrome claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot condition, respiratory disability (breathing problems), headaches, lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral ankle disability, and sleeping disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations or medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including right shoulder, left arm, cervical spine, bilateral knee, binocular vision, and hearing loss disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations scheduled in November 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, insomnia, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and neck disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service. The issues include cervical spine, lumbar spine, throat condition (GERD), sleep apnea, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms since service.

The claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury has been dismissed. The claims for service connection and compensation for bilateral hearing loss, muscle damage of the abdomen (stomach pain, stomach problems), cervical spine DDD, osteochondritis dissecans of the left foot, and dry-eye syndrome have been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.