Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to reconsider the service connection claims for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding their onset in service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for hepatitis C. The issue of whether there is a cervical spine disability related to service remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, including a June 1969 helicopter incident. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TBI was received on November 17, 2009. The effective date of service connection is assigned as of that date.,An increased evaluation to 30 percent for allergic rhinitis is granted beginning August 30, 2010.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of cholelthiasis, and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for an abdominal disorder. The cervical disorder issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right knee, left knee, right elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability that manifested in service or arthritis that manifested to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year thereafter, nor is it causally or etiologically related to service. The Board also found no evidence linking the current neck disability to his service-connected right knee and back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his lumbar spine disability. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disability, as well as an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability, will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal, including obtaining additional evidence and arranging for medical examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, rated as 20 percent disabling, is not more than the current rating. The most recent VA examination did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for consideration of the claims on the merits due to incomplete development and need for clarification.

The Veteran seeks to reopen his claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, rectal cancer, and ulcerative colitis. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted in all cases.,Service connection is granted for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, rectal cancer, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lung disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, anemia, eczema (skin condition), and hairy cell leukemia. The decision also addressed his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome was found to have manifested during service and is related to service. The cervical spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical radiculopathy, are not currently addressed due to the need for a remand.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical myofascial pain syndrome but denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The case is now remanded to allow for further consideration of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, but finds in favor of service connection for neck disability, headache disability, and disability manifested by numbness of the fingers in both hands due to in-service injury. The claims are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, claustrophobia, and dyshidrotic eczema were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address the Veteran's claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine and back disabilities were not incurred in service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his in-service injury. The VA examiners' opinions were considered more credible than Dr. K.'s opinion.