Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hip, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge. The current evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right leg, left leg, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not manifested by ankylosis of the spine, incapacitating episodes of at least 6 weeks within any 12 month period, or associated neurological manifestations of the lower extremities or bowel/ bladder manifestations.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a medical examination to determine if the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine was not incurred in service, nor is it related to a service-connected disability. The migraine headaches are considered secondary to his service-connected Meniere's syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of service connection, TDIU, and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. The current 30% rating is maintained.

The Veteran's claims have been adjudicated multiple times, and the Board is unable to determine which specific issues are still in dispute. The appeal has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with the highest rating of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability from October 1, 2011. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder with left arm weakness and left shoulder disorder did not begin during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a claim for service connection for sleep apnea, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his treatment records from Elgin AFB.

The Board has determined that there is not new and material evidence to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder. The issue of cervical spine disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as cervical disc herniation at C5-6, is related to in-service injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including to obtain updated treatment records and to schedule new VA examinations. The Veteran's claims include a claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine condition and a claim for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her military service.

The Veteran's cervical neck subluxation is rated at 10 percent, and her migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. Both conditions do not warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied service connection claims were unsuccessful as no new and material evidence was presented for any of the conditions he sought to reopen.

The Board found no evidence of a current lumbar or cervical spine disability present in service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any such disabilities were incurred during military service. The Veteran's reported symptoms are attributed to non-service-related incidents.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a statement of the case on all issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional evidentiary development, including a new VA examination to determine if his lumbar paravertebral myositis and DDD of the cervical spine are aggravated by his bilateral plantar fasciitis and bunion formation.