Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and excisions of basal cell carcinoma were denied.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, or excisions of basal cell carcinoma.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but denied his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder. The TDIU issue is also addressed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to new and material evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issue.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his active duty service and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion clarifying whether his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and kidney disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further consideration of his claim under both the old and new versions of the applicable rating criteria, including the former criteria that are more favorable to him.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus was upheld, as the disability is already at its maximum schedular level under Diagnostic Code 6260. A separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction was also denied due to lack of penile deformity.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for left shoulder disability and degenerative disc disease with spurring and bulging disc of the cervical and thoraco-lumbar spine were granted, but no higher as of August 11, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation from July 21, 2006 until December 16, 2008. From December 16, 2008, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for her cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and left knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his period of active service.

The Board found that the RO's decision to sever service connection for cervical spine disability was improper and granted the Veteran's appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional evidence, including treatment records. The issue of an increased evaluation for his cervical spine disability will be re-adjudicated after these steps.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU on June 24, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability, and therefore, denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, update his vocational rehabilitation folder, and provide him with a new VA examination. The claims will be readjudicated based on the updated evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.