Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that none were incurred or caused by his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), is not a manifestation of his service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, the claim for an increased rating for this condition has been denied.

The Veteran's fibroids were granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent prior to November 23, 2012 and a 50 percent evaluation effective March 1, 2013.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine strain was granted under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, but his secondary claim for benefits related to left arm radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and whether it is related to service, including his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and he has separate ratings of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability. The appeal is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not manifested during her active military service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to her active military service. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not incur an injury or disease involving the cervical spine during active service and that symptoms of a cervical spine disability were not chronic in service. The weight of evidence demonstrated that symptoms of a cervical spine disability have not been continuous since separation from active service, and arthritis did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940, scheduling a new VA examination to determine employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities, and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he is entitled to increased ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and radiculopathy. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disability, psychiatric disability (adjustment disorder with mixed depression and anxiety), bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active duty service or secondary to his service-connected low back sprain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting a VA examination to determine the etiology of his left eye disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Renfro and updating VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine disorders are not related to his active service. The in-service motor vehicle accident did result in injuries but these were treated and resolved without chronic symptoms persisting post-service.

The Veteran's disabilities of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, stomach, and left shoulder were not proximately due to or the result of VA carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA in furnishing reasonable care.

The Board found that the evidence did not establish a service connection for cervical spine disorder or right elbow disorder, as there was no medical evidence showing such conditions were incurred during active duty. The appellant's reports of ongoing symptoms and physical stresses related to his job were considered at the time of the previous final decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cervical cancer was denied because she has never been diagnosed with cervical cancer. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred from May 6, 2009 through May 8, 2009 at Maine Medical Center were approved due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities that could have provided the necessary care.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.