Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's low back strain has been evaluated at 10 percent disabling, and higher ratings are not warranted.,Service connection for an upper back/cervical spine condition is denied as there is no evidence of such a condition during service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability of degenerative spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to continuous symptoms since service separation and meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection under VA regulations.

The Board found that the appellant's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service and no current disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his military service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disorder during service, and the medical evidence does not show treatment or diagnosis of these problems until 20 years after service.,Service connection for bilateral wrist, right thumb, bilateral eye, and right knee disabilities was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, neck disability, and right leg disability due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability in service or within one year post-service, and concluded that the current condition is not related to any injury or event during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to an injury he sustained during ACDUTRA in July 1967, which is considered active duty service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorders, to include PTSD, were denied as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.,Service connection was granted for a lumbar spine disorder due to new and material evidence being received.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent for the period from August 20, 2008 to May 2, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Spine Disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability of DJD and left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to injuries sustained in service. The issues of increased rating for PTSD and TDIU remain pending.

The Veteran withdrew his applications to reopen the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left shoulder disorder as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability. The Board dismissed these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus or cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities that are related to service. The evidence is against a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain, DDD of the lower back, and cervical spondylotic changes are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for higher ratings remain denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia due to in-service tobacco use. The claim for cervical spine disability was reopened but not granted.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further proceedings consistent with a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The issues of service connection for back and cervical spine disabilities are being addressed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Canton-Potsdam Hospital from April 1, 2009 to April 3, 2009 are now covered by VA as his condition was not stabilized until April 3, 2009.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2007.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist CTS is likely the result of his active service, and the Board finds that service connection for this condition is warranted. The right hand disability claim remains pending as a new VA examination is needed to address whether it is secondary to his cervical spine disorder or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and the medications used to treat them, contributed substantially and materially to his death. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or contributed substantially and materially to his death.

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