Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left ankle disabilities did not manifest during active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability (neck numbness), and left arm numbness are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain is service-connected, but his left and right shoulder disabilities are not. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and potential hospital records from 'Triple A' Army Hospital or Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, headache, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disorder. The decision also addressed his claim for PTSD based on fear of hostile military activity due to his Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record, specifically a missing Form HF-57 related to an in-service injury. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending and will be reviewed again after the missing document is located.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities have been rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The VA has determined that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on current medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, neck, right shoulder, and bilateral hip disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective November 25, 2009, as it was factually ascertainable that he met the criteria for this benefit at that time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to outstanding evidentiary development, including obtaining treatment records and providing medical opinions.

The Board has determined that there is evidence of cervical spine arthritis in service, which satisfies the criteria for reconsidering the prior denial of service connection. The Veteran's psychiatric disorder was initially claimed as depression and memory loss but the claim has been broadened to include other psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision on appeal. This includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, seeking SSA records, and obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal to establish that his substantive appeal was timely filed regarding the May 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also found that his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were not timely filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional evidence received since the last decision. The claims will be reviewed again by the RO.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated evaluations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and determine if he qualifies for vocational rehabilitation benefits. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently manifest cervical spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to his period of active duty, including the in-service fall off a truck. The most probative evidence shows that the Veteran's current condition was likely due to age-related degenerative change.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left leg radiculopathy and to determine if he has a cervical spine disability that is related to service or his lumbar spine disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence received. The claims are granted.