Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may be related to his service, including heavy lifting and intensive exercising during active duty. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left wrist fracture disabilities are service-connected. The skin disorder of the hands is not currently service-connected.

The claims of service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his hip disabilities are inconsistent with his in-service medical history.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical polyps, to include chronic residuals thereof, finding no current disability manifested by these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion from the August 2011 examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating were denied. The Board found that the Veteran had not appealed the initial grant of service connection, but his claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted in November 2009.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be decided.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and right hip disabilities did not have their onset in active service or are related to service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Board found no evidence of chronic disorders in service or within one year post-service, and the preponderance of medical evidence does not support a nexus between current disabilities and service. The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to consider whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The current appeal is pending and requires further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and private treatment records, as well as providing a new VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after all actions are completed.

The Board has vacated the February 2015 decision denying service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not shown to be related to his active duty, as there was no evidence of scoliosis in service and it did not manifest until many years after discharge. Service connection cannot be granted on a direct basis without medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings for his service-connected mental health and musculoskeletal conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these disabilities, as well as obtaining any outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent effective August 1, 2011. He also received separate ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities have been denied multiple times, and new and material evidence has not been submitted in all cases. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities have been denied multiple times, and new and material evidence has not been submitted in all cases. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his current disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder may be related to an injury in service, but the Board needs additional medical opinions to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for other conditions. The effective dates assigned were December 20, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder and PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete development of the record.