Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's back disorder is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear duty status at the time of a motor vehicle accident, and TDIU is inextricably intertwined with service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition on a direct basis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current disability and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim is being remanded for additional development of her medical records and consideration of the new evidence submitted since the last statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his forward flexion of the cervical spine was limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome of at least four weeks.

The Board has determined that the March 2014 rating decision granting service connection for low back strain and neck strain (claimed as IVDS of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, respectively) represents a full grant of benefits sought on appeal with respect to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 40 percent, which approximates moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracic spine disability has been rated at 30 percent since March 2009, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for blood cells in urine has been denied as there is no current disability associated with this condition during the claims period. The Board finds that a present disability must be shown to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a service-connected lumbar spine disorder was dismissed due to the Veteran and her representative withdrawing the appeal. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disorder, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board at the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or IVDS.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability is denied as there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the previously denied claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident. The disabilities were first shown many years after service.

The Veteran's neck disability, including residuals of a cervical spine fracture, is service connected. However, his left knee disability is not service connected as it is not related to his right knee disability or any other in-service injury.,The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the Veteran's current left knee disability and his service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records, arrange for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine their etiology, and readjudicate the claims.