Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to outstanding VA outpatient treatment records and an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hearing loss disability. The case is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left shoulder pain are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as his right and left hip disabilities, are found to be related to service. The benefit of the doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, sinus infections, and a cervical spine disability. The appeals are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a temporary total rating for convalescence extended to November 1, 2008. The TDIU claim is also addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues are about service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, with secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of the VA examination and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and an addendum opinion from a medical professional.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to a service-connected condition.,For the period prior to December 7, 2006, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion of 45 degrees at worst. For the period from December 7, 2006 through April 23, 2007, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability resulted in forward flexion of 30 degrees with repetitive motion testing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's preexisting cervical and lumbar spine disorders did not worsen during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) from February to March 1995. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a new videoconference Board hearing. The original issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for ilio-inguinal nerve entrapment and cervical strain remain on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and thoracolumbar spine strain disabilities are due to his active service in Iraq, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for cervical spine arthritis and service connection for left elbow tendonitis was denied. The Board found that there is no current evidence of a left elbow disability, thus denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and prostate cancer claim are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an opinion regarding whether any cervical or thoracolumbar spine disabilities had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service.,Therefore, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all of the remaining issues on appeal, including service connection claims and a claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand.

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