Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and to consider the possibility of additional private treatment records. The claim for an increased rating must be reconsidered with consideration of all pertinent evidence and legal authority.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as any associated neurological impairment.

The Veteran's current neck disorder is not service-connected, and his lumbosacral strain disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD, as well as his claims for various other disabilities. The Board found that there was no legal merit to these claims.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a neck disability and granted it, finding that there is evidence relating the current neck disability to service. The kidney and left knee disability claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, diabetes, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), sleep apnea, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, iritis, allergies, nephrolithiasis, erectile dysfunction, and lip rash are all granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination in connection with his claim of service connection for a nervous disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any currently diagnosed neck or back disability. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that these disabilities are related to service or caused by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested increased evaluations.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a rating of 40 percent effective September 29, 2010. The maximum schedular rating for this disability is 40 percent.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no credible evidence linking them to service or any incident therein.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is proximately due to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected knee, ankle, and foot disabilities. The evidence supports this finding as the Veteran reported multiple falls due to instability of his knees and ankles which resulted in neck and back injuries.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee internal derangement, and left knee arthritis. The Veteran's overall picture indicates that he needs constant supervision due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to a lack of consideration of recent VA examination evidence.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and lung disability due to missing records from Dr. Lerner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are related to his active service, with the evidence being in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during service.