Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar and cervical spine disorders as well as his PTSD. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence had not been received. The decision is final as it was based on a previous denial in July 1996.

The evidence does not support the Veteran's claim that his current cervical spine disorder is related to his service-connected burst compression fracture of L1, status post spinal fusion of T12-L2 with Harrington Rod placement at T11-L3.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of any lumbar spine, thoracic spine, cervical spine or shoulder disability that may be present.

The Veteran's cervical stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome are found to be related to service, with the effective date for gout service connection being set at January 28, 2003.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back, neck, right knee, left knee, and headache disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from April 2012 through September 2012. The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability and left arm and hand numbness remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 24, 2012 and 20 percent from January 24, 2012. Right cervical radiculopathy is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,Right cervical radiculopathy has been assigned a rating of 20 percent since July 14, 2010.

The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the appellant's service-connected thoracolumbar spinal strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and neurological impairment of the left upper extremity. The appellant should also provide any additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claims for bilateral knee disability, bilateral foot fungus condition, or leg length discrepancy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spondylosis of the cervical spine and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine disability causally related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical myofascial pain syndrome is rated at 50 percent for tension headaches and a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of motion. The left ear hearing loss is rated as non-compensable.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's additional disabilities were caused by VA treatment, negligence or lack of proper skill.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA decision documents.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back and neck injuries sustained during service, do not meet the criteria for service connection. The evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and granted service connection for this condition.