Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since the date of his claim on August 5, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a cervical spine disability and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders, including degenerative joint disease, are incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeals as to lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not incur any of the claimed disabilities during his active duty service or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. Therefore, service connection for all issues is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and that there was no evidence of a cervical disorder or bilateral hip/knee/shoulder/ankle disorders related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's Reserve service status and determine if medical examination and opinion are necessary for his claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder radiculopathy, and chronic headaches are all found to be related to her service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying the appellant's period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including cervical strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if her current condition is related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while the cervical spine disability with radiculopathy is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been manifested by pain and limitation of flexion, but with flexion greater than 15 degrees. The Board finds that the current rating of 20 percent is appropriate as it reflects the Veteran's symptoms without requiring bed rest or treatment for incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective August 3, 2010. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5299-5239.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical degenerative disc disease with disc herniation, headaches, and bilateral shoulder condition are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an examination of his disabilities and consideration under extra-schedular criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more current VA examination and to obtain additional medical records. The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for her service-connected cervical sprain.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a low back disability. The cervical spine disability is not related to active service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability. Carpal tunnel syndrome was also not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it secondary to a service-connected disability.