Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection appeal for a cervical spine disability with radicular pain and numbness has been granted, as the Board finds that the current condition is related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent prior to November 30, 2010. The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 20 percent effective from that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right and left upper extremity disorders are not related to his military service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between current disabilities and in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability that had its onset during or as a result of his active military service. As such, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neck condition is not related to her service, including a 2002 injury during ACDUTRA. The VA examiner opined it was unlikely that the Veteran's current cervical spine condition resulted from or aggravated by the 2002 injury.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and cervical spine disorder do not constitute an employment handicap that prevents him from working as a pilot or chiropractor, thus he is not entitled to VA Vocational Rehabilitation services.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a comprehensive examination. The issues of service connection for left median mononeuropathy and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left shoulder disability are pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations, and the issues of service connection are now pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied for low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and breast lump. The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has been granted.,PTSD was initially granted with a higher rating from July 31, 2007 to November 11, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hallux valgus, bilateral ankle strain, and bilateral knee strain. The ratings for left and right ankle disability have been increased to 20 percent prior to March 31, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial evaluation of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was withdrawn during a hearing. The claim for service connection of residuals of left spontaneous pneumothorax is denied as there is no evidence that it occurred due to an injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty during INACDUTRA.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD/depression and assigned a 70% disability rating, effective July 11, 2011. The Veteran's neck/cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected residuals of a head injury with headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing scheduled but not conducted, and because the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claims are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder is manifested by pain and limited range of motion with flare-ups, during which he experiences muscle spasms and his range of motion is markedly inhibited. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 20 percent have been met.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for various conditions, including right and left shin splints, a low back disorder, a cervical spine disorder, GERD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than service-connected PTSD. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for cervical spine sprain/cervical spondylosis was increased from 10% to 20% effective June 24, 2011. The current rating of 20% is maintained.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type I.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing records and additional examination.