Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury. The case will be readjudicated following these actions.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus, left shoulder disability, and neck disability as the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran appealed these denials to the Court.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any outstanding SSA records. The AOJ will issue an SSOC on the issues of service connection for xerosis cutis, higher ratings for right elbow supination/pronation impairment, left elbow supination/pronation impairment, scars (x3) status post-right knee surgery, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, entitlement to a TDIU rating, and waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, including cervical radiculopathy and neuritis, is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis with foraminal stenosis and for rotator cuff tendonitis and subsequent osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The claim for respiratory disability, to include COPD, was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar strain have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is pending, as are the TDIU claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is found to have originated during his period of active duty and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident therein.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to difficulties in contacting the Veteran and obtaining a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is neither caused nor aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder instability and bilateral knee disorders.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is at least 100 percent from October 1, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU based on the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, to include degenerative disc disease, and left shoulder disability are being remanded for additional development as the Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to determine their etiology.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability or peripheral neuropathy in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete personnel records, and further efforts are needed to determine if the appellant was on INACDUTRA during his service. The issues of service connection for right shoulder disability and neck disability remain under consideration.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder and finds that it is etiologically related to an in-service injury, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a fracture of the nose, chronic rhinitis, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, have combined to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her cervical spine disability and headache disability.