Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for right upper extremity neurological impairment was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of mild or more severe neurological impairment related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. For TDIU, the Veteran's combined disability rating is 60%, which meets the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including systemic degenerative joint disease and a back disability, are not related to service. The evidence does not show an in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for shrapnel wounds to the right buttock and leg, but denied service connection for a neck disability and peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was withdrawn by him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical disc disease disability. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's cervical strain with traumatic arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable rating criteria. The remaining conditions have either not been granted or are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed below.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, as it had onset during his period of active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and lung disabilities have been dismissed due to lack of specific error of fact or law.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck injury and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that the Veteran has a current cervical spine disability, which is related to his in-service fall and injury.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar, cervical, right knee, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are not related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions did not originate during or as a result of his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran seeks service connection for upper back spasms, which she claims were caused by her duties as an aircraft mechanic during active duty. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a VA examiner's opinion on whether these symptoms are at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic cervical spine disability during service or within one year of discharge, and thus could not establish service connection for his current cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including joint pain, impaired balance, muscle pain, and neurological symptoms of the upper and lower extremities, are not related to service. The Board finds that service connection is not warranted for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, hearing loss, head trauma residuals, facial scars, neck disability, and low back disability. The appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his in-service neck injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the left hand and right finger, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,There is no direct evidence showing a link between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his in-service injury. The VA examiner did not find any nexus.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability with discectomy and fusion has not been manifested by limitation of forward flexion to 15 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for his cervical spine disorder and entitlement to a TDIU, as well as his claims for service connection for knee disability and increased rating for schizophrenia. The decision was not based on CUE.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection. The psychiatric disorder was also denied as there was no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.