Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right knee disability. This includes obtaining SSA records, California Employment Development Department records, private treatment records from UCLA Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente, scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination, and reviewing all submitted evidence.

The Board found no evidence of a service-connected dental disability for compensation purposes. For the low back and headaches, the Board determined that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 22, 2008. The Board has determined that the disability should be increased to 30 percent for this period.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a thoracic spine disorder on the basis that these conditions are related to active service, with no evidence of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities is granted. His low back disability remains at a 20 percent evaluation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's cervical strain with traumatic joint disease and discectomy is rated at 30 percent, meeting the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for individual unemployability based on service-connected disability remains pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraine headaches, thoracolumbar spine DJD, and cervical spine DJD have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unemployable, and thus grants an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease with neck strain from appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service records and requesting an opinion from a VA clinician regarding the appellant's cervical spine disorder and headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show any chronic injury or disease during service, nor do symptoms of these conditions manifest since separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine, bilateral elbow disorder, and bilateral knee disabilities (post-total knee arthroplasty).

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with a December 2009 remand, and the Veteran's neck disability is being referred for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective February 24, 2010, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current colon disability other than hemorrhoids, and his cervical spine and tongue disabilities are not service-connected.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for rheumatoid arthritis, right shoulder and neck disabilities, and left index finger disabilities. The Veteran appealed only the denial of reopening of these claims.

The Veteran's cervical disc protrusion has been rated at 20 percent since February 9, 2011. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding this issue.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and providing a VA examination. The Veteran's left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder are both under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as they did not manifest within one year of his separation from active duty or during a period of training duty. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by any service-connected condition.