Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA disability evaluation criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been reopened and is now pending. The VA will conduct further examination to determine if his current shoulder, bilateral leg, and right wrist disabilities are related to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20% rating prior to October 15, 2012. After that date, the disability is rated at 10%. The Veteran also received separate ratings for incomplete paralysis of the right and left upper extremities, both beginning on October 15, 2012.,The Veteran's neck scar was granted a 10% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, visual disability, and neurological deficiencies of the upper extremities are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal of his TDIU claim prior to November 2012 is being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing low back disability was aggravated by military service, but his neck disability is not due to or the result of any incident of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a kidney disability, residuals of a concussion, neck disability, or lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals associated with hysterectomy claimed as muscle spasms, lumbosacral strain, cervical neck pain with bone spur, nerve root irritation, muscle spasms, arthritis, and severe left side pain, or migraine headaches related to service. The claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and cervical spine disorder are found to be incurred in service, warranting a grant of service connection.

The Board has found an inferred claim of entitlement to a TDIU and remanded the issue for further development. The case is now back with the Board for appellate consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is related to service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU, as well as her issues regarding sleep disturbances. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as for further development of her claims for increased disability rating for cervical spine disability and left hand disabilities, and TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine did not have its onset during service or due to any in-service event, including ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The VA examiner concluded that the progression of the spinal disease was more likely related to age, genetics, non-service-connected work, and activities of daily living.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right elbow disorder that is related to his military service. The evidence shows an in-service injury, but no chronic disability was shown at separation and there are no records of ongoing symptoms or treatment for many years after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches due to inadequate opinions regarding the onset of these conditions during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of right shoulder, low back, cervical spine, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder strain, lumbar disc disease, L5-S1 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and other conditions, are found to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.