Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated opinion regarding the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, including newly granted ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as SSA disability records. The case will be returned to the Board after these developments.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, right knee disorder, or cervical spine disorder that is service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities from June 9, 2008 were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 1, 2009 for payment of additional compensation for his current spouse. The decision was based on the fact that notice of his marriage to his current spouse was not received at the RO within one year of their marriage or prior to February 10, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining clarification from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of any current cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and chloracne. The decision also restored service connection for tinnitus effective May 1, 2008.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature of the appellant's disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, headache, and psychiatric disabilities are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in service or within one year thereafter, and there is no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that neither a disability shown in service nor a service-connected disability caused or contributed to his demise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of an injury or disease during service, nor is there credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disorders, left shoulder disorder, and neck disorder. The hiatal hernia was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining specific dates of active and inactive duty training in the Air Force Reserves, updating VA treatment records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 11, 2011 and increased to 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has found that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to or aggravated by his service-connected deviated nasal septum. The claim for arthritis of multiple joints was remanded and will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and adjudication due to incomplete service treatment records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical fusion and cervical myelopathy are found to be proximally related to his service-connected left ankle sprain. The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.