Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and additional development is needed, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records from VA and private providers.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is June 21, 2010. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical strain with radiculitis and major depressive disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is found to be causally linked to his periods of active duty service and ACDUTRA, resulting in the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's upper back and neck injury, headaches, stomach condition, and left shoulder disability are all service-connected. The effective date is July 18, 2000.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for a sinus disorder and chest pain. The remaining claims are being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical cervical strain and traumatic brain injury with post-traumatic migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after a final decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim of whether the January 1978 rating decision denying service connection for a back condition was based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) has not been adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee arthritis with scar or left knee instability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is related to his time as a Marine jet mechanic, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at 20 percent each since their initial grant of service connection. The current ratings are maintained as the evidence does not show that the conditions meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence. The issues include cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, left knee arthralgias, cervical neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology and whether it is related to his service-connected bilateral spondylolysis at L-5.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection must be remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as there is no direct evidence linking it to service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's assertions regarding continuity of symptoms were considered but outweighed by the lack of contemporaneous medical records and the absence of any mention of neck injuries during treatment for shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and conflicting medical evidence. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being reviewed again for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.