Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination during a period of flare-up of her dermatitis. The claims will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for back disability and neck disability, and these claims are granted.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated left upper extremity neuropathy have been granted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent since February 2, 2004.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not found to be caused or permanently worsened by his service-connected low back disability. His low back disability, characterized by pain and limited motion but no ankylosis of the spine or incapacitating episodes, does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent. The Veteran is competent for direct receipt of VA funds.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability and finds that new and material evidence has been presented. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence linking the current cervical spine disability to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, prior to February 28, 2007, did not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected leukemia.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and consideration of whether the Veteran can secure or follow substantially gainful employment given his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for hypertension as a complication of diabetes mellitus and cervical spine disability on a primary and/or secondary basis are addressed, with evidence indicating equipoise in some areas.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he had not been unemployable prior to September 7, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and left hip disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.,A separate award of compensation for bilateral lower extremity radicular pain is referred to the AOJ.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, effective March 18, 2011. The decision also granted separate ratings of 20 percent each for cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the August 2012 VA examination and additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, bilateral hip, lumbar and cervical spine, and right ankle disabilities are all service-connected as they are causally related to trauma sustained during active military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to her request for a hearing, and she did not file any new documents or notices of disagreement after the withdrawal. As such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DJD of the right shoulder, finding that new evidence supports a link between these conditions and service. The Board also found that the disabilities are directly related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent before January 25, 2011. From that date, the rating was increased to 30 percent.

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