Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining inpatient psychiatric treatment records from Landstube Germany and Bethesda Naval Hospital, as well as additional VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his in-service fall, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was previously denied in October 2006. New and material evidence has been received, allowing the claim to be reopened.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability as it is attributable to active duty service.

The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher rating, with no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has decided the claims for higher initial ratings for left knee and left ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment due to pain or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to active service. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and is not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right elbow disabilities are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and exposure basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's current neck disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing documents from the appellant's healthcare providers and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation assistance.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine fracture (C-7) is an unforeseen result of his January 2011 colonoscopy and polypectomy procedure, which was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to a motor vehicle accident in July 1967 or if they were caused by a pre-existing left hip fracture.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disorder is not related to his active military service or any disability incurred therein.,Left side pleurisy due to plural scarring associated with the service-connected pulmonary tuberculosis does not warrant a separate compensable disability rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not service-connected as they are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's neck condition and determine if it is related to his service. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability. The Veteran had pre-existing neck pain prior to his entry into active duty, but this condition was not aggravated by military service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for basic eligibility for VA nonservice-connected pension benefits has been granted. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, as well as the claims for PTSD, back disability, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and traumatic brain injury have also been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical facet syndrome, headaches associated with the cervical spine disability, and low back disability do not render her unemployable.