Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not caused by his injury during ACDUTRA in 1981, and thus denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed thoracic or lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left hand disorder are not related to service. The claims were denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and information about her employment status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disorder, diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and gout, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a connection between his current symptoms and active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as her service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria, and an extra-schedular rating is also not warranted.

The Board has vacated its decision on the claims to reopen service connection for various knee and spine disabilities, as well as chronic venous insufficiency of the lower extremities. The new evidence presented since previous decisions relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for further development on the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's claims for neck, back, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining VA medical records and providing an examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right hand disability has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, residuals of head injury (including headaches and cervical spine disability), bilateral ankle disability, left eye disability, and cervical spine disability have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board found no evidence of a torn meniscus or chronic right knee disorder, cholecystitis, chrondromalacia, lipoma on the right shoulder, cervical spine disorder, tendonitis of the feet, or DeQuervain's tendonitis of the left hand that were incurred in service. The Veteran did not provide credible lay assertions linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and addressing the time period since the April 1997 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with depressive disorder and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The VA has determined that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's current left side nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome on the left hand, and a nerve root condition secondary to cervical spondylosis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO in Denver, Colorado for further action including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder, is granted. The cervical spine disability was found to be due to an undiagnosed illness manifested by pain within one year of discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The VA examiners opined that these conditions did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to conflicting medical evidence.