Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as PTSD. The evidence received since previous decisions did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of her cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and lumbar spinal fusion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar radiculitis is currently rated at 40 percent effective October 5, 2011. The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is currently rated at 30 percent effective October 5, 2011.,Both conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and updating treatment records. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional evidence and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling throughout the rating period. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the rating decision. Service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are not granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was incurred in service and is currently present. Service connection for nerve damage of the right foot is not established. The claim for an increased rating for lumbar spinal degenerative joint disease has been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disability, including diagnosed cervical and lumbar spine discogenic disease and arthritis, is not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia and cervical disc disease, brachial plexus neuropathy, and right bicipital tendonitis. As such, these claims are now reopened.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as a respiratory disorder. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed again due to new evidence submitted since previous denials.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including determining the appropriate diagnostic codes for his fibromyalgia manifestations and considering if combining separate ratings would provide a higher evaluation than the current 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and private treatment records. A VA examination is also needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, neck, shoulder, and headache disabilities, as well as an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claim of residuals of left ankle fracture. The other claims were also denied due to lack of a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his records and possible VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability are also being remanded.