Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent effective February 9, 2012. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted as of January 12, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of evidence, including determining precise dates of active duty training and inactive duty training. The appellant's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral leg numbness are service-connected, with the cervical spine disorder not being service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal prior to the Board issuing a final decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for visual problems, tinnitus, neck disability, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 20% based on its current manifestations.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, both shoulders, and lumbosacral spine. The appeal seeking a TDIU rating is being remanded due to its interdependence with these grants.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and further review is required.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to address the current severity of his service-connected left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent prior to March 22, 2010. The appeal for increased ratings for other conditions is denied.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied service connection for a muscle disability, claiming as myalgia and myositis. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a disability of the cervical spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine. The Board has remanded this issue due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, cervical spine disabilities (both periods), and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not establish a chronic or new condition during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical discectomy with radiculopathy of the upper right extremity was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lost records. The case is returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability (DDD and DJD) is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 1, 2000. The Board finds that the current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability. The Veteran's disabilities are being considered as secondary to his service-connected foot disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, as well as whether any diagnosed cervical spine, lumbar spine, or right knee disabilities are related to his service-connected left knee disability. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded.