Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as his conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals.

The Veteran's cervical paraspinous and trapezious muscle myofascial pain is granted compensation under 1151, but his left shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and left testicle and leg disability (ilioinguinal nerve neuritis) are not related to the horseshoeing accident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, right and left knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, post-phlebitic syndrome (right and left lower extremities), skin disorder, and sleep apnea, all presumed to be due to Agent Orange exposure. The decision did not assign a rating or provide an effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO increased the rating for the service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine to 40 percent effective on September 8, 2008 and for residuals of a fracture of the left fibula to 30 percent effective on July 20, 2010. The Veteran's claims remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative spondylosis is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to obtain additional medical records and clarify whether the Veteran is seeking service connection on a secondary basis due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disorders, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's diagnosed aqueous tear deficiency with dry eyes was identified in service and has been continuously present since then.,The Veteran does not have a current disability related to her uterine cervical dysplasia that is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and degenerative arthritis of the spine, are found to affect his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been granted, with the exception of a higher rating for the residuals of the SFW of the neck. The AMC has also increased the initial rating for dysthymia from 30 to 50 percent effective May 5, 2008.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is related to a documented in-service injury, and his cervical spine condition is etiologically related to his now service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. However, he was granted a separate rating for right arm neurologic manifestations related to his service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right shoulder, neck, and back injuries as they are not linked to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including any associated neurological residuals. The case is therefore REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The issues of increased disability ratings for low back strain, cervical strain, and corneal scars are on hold until these matters are addressed.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current cervical spine and head disorders are related to his military service, including two separate incidents involving falls and a car accident.

The Board has referred the issue of entitlement to a TDIU to the RO for further proceedings consistent with the Joint Motion for Remand. The Veteran's claim is considered part and parcel of his increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and private treatment records.