Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge is needed due to the Veteran's failure to appear for his scheduled May 2012 Board hearing. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for COPD and a scar, as well as service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The RO is directed to obtain VA treatment records, conduct a new examination for the left arm scar, and develop the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an examination and additional development of records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability and granted it, assigning a 10 percent rating effective October 18, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of service dates and treatment records related to his ankle injury in 1982. He also needs a VA examination to determine the relationship between any current left ankle and leg conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 due to VA medical treatment involving cervical spine surgery in August 1996.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 13, 2009. Effective November 13, 2009, the rating for his cervical spine disability has been increased to 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive heart disease, hyperactive bladder, right hip disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle sprain, and furunculous of the neck and back, are found to prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability and consideration of whether he meets the criteria for submission for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability or any other cause.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability to obtain additional service treatment records and SSA records, and to request private treatment records from Dr. Wilson and Drew Memorial Hospital.

The Board is remanding the claims for right knee disorder and cervical spine disorder to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC due to a failure to consider new and material evidence since the last final denial of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations to assess the etiology of his cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not etiologically related to active service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, to include cervical strain, that is etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and posterior neck scar were all rated as per the criteria. The cervical spine disability received a 30 percent rating prior to January 16, 2013, and a 50 percent rating effective from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed in a sedentary position and generates an income above the poverty threshold.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability, low back disability, neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, bladder disability, prostate disorder (benign prostatic hypertrophy), and bilateral arm disability are not related to his military service. However, he was exposed to asbestos during service, which is presumed to be a contributing factor in causing his current respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disc herniation and arthritis are not related to service, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The cardiac disorder is also not established.