Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a general disorder of the joints and muscles. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen his left knee disability claim, but denied all other claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and is remanding the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since October 1, 2007. The appeal is granted for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability, but further development is needed before these claims can be decided. The Veteran needs to undergo another VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a statement of the case regarding his knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical disk disease with intermittent radiculopathy is at least as likely as not incurred in or due to service, specifically his lengthy surgery for cholesteatoma performed in 1994. The condition was not caused by or aggravated by any other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate disabilities of the cervical spine, right shoulder, right wrist, or right hand that are attributable to active service. The VA examiner found no isolated disabilities and provided a rationale for this conclusion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of upper back disability, low back disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The Board finds that these disabilities are at least as likely as not incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, eye disability (refractive error), right and left knee patellar tendonitis, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left hip degenerative joint disease. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy, is related to her service due to continuous symptoms following separation from active duty. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to assess her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, wrist, hand, and right foot disabilities are not service-connected. The back disability was granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff partial tear, cervical strain (neck disability), and headaches are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and shoulder disorders are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the condition is related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic cervical spine disorder did not have its onset during active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, as well as secondary disabilities to these conditions, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to active military service or are due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic cervical and thoracic spine strains have been denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.