Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches began during service and have continued since then. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a headache disorder, recurrent headaches since service, and a causal relationship between his present disability and his in-service headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are rated at the maximum available ratings, while his migraine headaches do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider the Veteran's participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left shoulder arthritis, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder arthritis are granted as they are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral flat foot disability, hearing loss disability, or cervical spine disability (upper back pain) for which service connection is warranted.,Service connection was denied for all three issues due to lack of evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple secondary service connection claims for various disabilities, including Hodgkin's lymphoma and its complications. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the exposure basis of these claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disabilities, and lumbar spine disabilities. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's neck pain and radiculopathy are being remanded for further development to determine their relationship to his service as a percussionist.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, but denied reopening of his claim for service connection for a neck disability due to lack of evidence related to it. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the reductions in rating were proper and that the criteria for higher ratings had not been met.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain post injury with headaches has been rated at 10 percent since December 12, 2007. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a direct service connection for cervical spine disability or cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent prior to April 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and provide the Veteran with an adequate VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's upper back and neck disabilities did not have onset during his active service, arthritis of these areas did not manifest within one year of separation from active service, and his current conditions were not caused by his active service. The Board concluded that there was insufficient evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness in this case.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The appeals are based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as hallux valgus with bursitis of the right foot. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.