Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not service-connected, as they are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by his military service. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability due to incomplete development and need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing, and the claim of service connection for low back disability is still pending as new evidence was submitted but not considered in the previous rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for heart disability, headaches, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and cervical spine joint and disc disease due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis and shell fragment wound muscle injury.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis of the bilateral hips is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected psoriasis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues, including service connection for a sleep disorder and higher initial ratings for certain disabilities. The decision did not address the issue of TDIU.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, concluding that there is insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for depression and osteoarthritis of the right knee, as well as his claim for TDIU, are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50 percent rating. The Board has also granted the requested TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to verify his service in Vietnam and the details of a helicopter crash, as well as to obtain medical records related to his left foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing, and he has requested another hearing. The claims of reopening service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. A new VA examination will also be scheduled to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted, effective June 1, 2005. The issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 30, 2012 is being remanded due to the change in his disability picture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his hypertension and spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities. The appeal is pending until further notice.

The Board has remanded the case for another VA examination to address whether the Veteran's upper back disability is related to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with chronic lower back pain or other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a maximum of 60 percent since April 29, 2002. His cervical spine disability is rated at a maximum of 30 percent since April 29, 2002. Effective November 29, 2002, the Veteran has been granted TDIU.