Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment records and for further examination regarding his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and foot disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has determined that an additional VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, as it may be related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss, left shoulder disability, back disability, neck disability, and neurological spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she alleges are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed spinal, knee, foot, respiratory and skin disorders are not related to his active duty service or toxic herbicide exposure. The evidence does not show a current diagnosis of any of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under VA regulations.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be established.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine at or below 15 degrees, which is required for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran does not have a left leg disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have a neck disability that is related to his military service or caused by a service-connected condition.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders are not related to his military service, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran does not have right ear hearing loss of such severity to qualify as a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inextricably intertwined issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the November 1971 rating decision and March 1978 administrative decision regarding service connection for back disabilities. The effective date claim will be returned to the Board after this CUE issue is resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left ear hearing loss are currently rated at the lowest possible initial rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a combined rating of 50 percent, effective from July 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, combined, result in such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent until March 13, 2013, when it was increased to 40 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, and denied compensable ratings for his scars and occipital neuralgia.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further verification of the appellant's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA in the Air National Guard. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional information is obtained.