Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, SSA records, and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for residuals of a neck and head injury with pain and headaches, respiratory disability, liver disorder, and PTSD are also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder disorder and cervical spine strain, finding that these conditions were incurred during INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and prostate cancer, did not render him unemployable prior to May 1, 1997. The effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits is set at May 1, 1997.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for his cervical spine disorder, as it is less likely than not incurred during or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Board found no credible evidence of a neck injury in service, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine disability. The low back disability claim was reopened due to new evidence suggesting it may have preexisted service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a need for follow-up requests of private medical records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for muscle pain of the upper back, right arm and hand, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to provide a VA examination.,For the claim of service connection for muscle pain of the upper back and right arm/hand, the examiner will determine if these conditions are secondary to service-connected conditions or due to exposure during Desert Shield/Storm in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection and rating for various conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the prior examination report was inadequate and did not address the impact of his service-connected disabilities in combination on his employability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine the probable etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and lung disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on convalescence due to surgery was dismissed as the Veteran did not have cervical spine surgery.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is manifested by flexion to 20 degrees, extension to 10 degrees, and no neurological symptoms. The Board found that the disability warrants a 30 percent evaluation under DC 5237.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected cervical spine disability for the period after May 2007.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to a hearing officer's retirement and the need for another Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of a current left knee disability and the Veteran's reports of left knee pain are insufficient to establish the presence of a current left knee disability. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim for service connection for a left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was granted with an effective date of September 3, 1997. The Board also remanded the issue of earlier effective dates for other benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate November 2009 VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's cervical spine, left thigh/groin, and headache disabilities need to be re-evaluated with consideration of all evidence.