Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability is found to be aggravated by a service-connected condition (peripheral neuropathy), but not caused or aggravated by service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a comprehensive examination of his lumbar and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including active duty for training and inactive duty for training. The Board finds no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a left shoulder disability; radiculopathy of the left upper extremity; cervical spinal stenosis at C6-C7; and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine; hypothyroidism; and epilepsy. The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed lumbar strain with DDD of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spinal stenosis, left shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The failure to report for VA examinations served only to deprive the Board of critical clarifying medical evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, including whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's deviated septum and cervical spine disabilities are related to service, while his sinus disability is not. The Veteran's nose disability was found to be less likely caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disorder was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected mechanical low back pain, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the most recent supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the initial compensable evaluation for cervical adenopathy and the evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis, left knee disability, and cervical spine disability. The claim remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shin splints/compartment syndrome, cervical strain with disc herniation, and thoracic strain are related to his active service. The claims for neck and back disabilities have been granted as direct service connection is established.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues are whether he should receive a higher disability evaluation for his right knee condition and if he can establish service connection for his cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease is related to his military service. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for right ear hearing loss remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities did not have their onset in active service, nor are they related to a disease or injury during active service.