Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic neck pain and hypertension was granted. The Veteran has arthritis of the cervical spine, which is not considered service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to service. His hypertension is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim that his substantive appeal was timely filed, as it was received more than 60 days after the date of actual receipt of the SOC and more than one year after the notification of the September 2008 rating decision he had intended to appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities have been reopened, and service connection has been granted for both conditions. The effective date is pending further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities. The issues of initial increased ratings for TBI, posttraumatic headaches, and insomnia are also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her claims. Her cervical spine, lumbar spine, left hip disabilities, and IBS are all under review.

The Veteran's myofascial syndrome of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Veteran's right clavicular fracture is rated at 10 percent, but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pelvic alignment disorder, hyperlipidemia, neck disability, tinnitus, and right knee disability. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case to schedule a videoconference hearing at the VA RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Veteran failed to appear for his scheduled July 16, 2014 hearing due to transportation issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, TDIU, and service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the issues of secondary service connection and missing private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disorders are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right humerus fracture residuals, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed psychiatric disorder, cervical spine, left ankle, right great toe, and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and other conditions, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a cervical hernia, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, or degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine in service. The Veteran's PTSD and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis were granted with effective dates based on information available at the time of his original claims within one year of discharge.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than March 1, 2010 for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to February 1, 2012. From February 1, 2012 to March 20, 2013, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn regarding the claim for cerebral concussion. The claims of service connection for a neck disability, to include cervical spine arthritis, and for a laceration of the face and mouth were reopened due to new evidence received since the March 2011 rating decision. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical spine disorder to her periods of active duty service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's hyperparathyroidism rating from 60 percent to noncompensable was proper, but denied service connection for a back disorder. The Court vacated this decision and remanded both issues for further development.