Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and cervical strain, finding that the current disabilities are related to service. The Veteran's complaints of pain in his head and neck during service have been substantiated by medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain missing cervical spine MRI reports, ascertain the nature and etiology of his current cervical spine disability, and issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings for his bilateral pes planus and right wrist scar, and for service connection for a low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30% and his GERD at 10%. The Board found that the current evaluations are not adequate to reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disorder are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on frequency or severity of his headaches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a neck disability, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Board also found that there is no medical evidence linking these disabilities to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's L1 compression fracture is related to his service-connected peripheral neuropathy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for asthma, chest pain, central scotoma, or congenital absence of left kidney. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination report, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a lumbar or cervical spine disability as a result of disease or injury incurred in service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, abdominal muscle injury and abdominal adhesions, as well as a higher rating for his duodenal ulcer. The reasons were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and neck disabilities due to incomplete examination reports, lack of relevant medical records, and need for further development.

The Veteran's left knee condition is found to have had its clinical onset during his period of active service, and the Board grants service connection for this disability. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and medical documentation.

The appellant's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on February 15, 2009, at the emergency room of Tulane University Hospital and Clinic were covered due to the presence of a serious threat to his health from a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy is service-connected. The Board also finds new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a left lung disability (chronically elevated or paralyzed left hemidiaphragm).

The Veteran's appeal was denied for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative disc disease. Service connection for a right hip disorder was granted, but the Veteran disagrees with the assigned initial disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since the November 2008 supplemental statement of the case and requests for a hearing.