Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected cervical spine disability was denied, and the Board found that a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted. The issue of service connection for a neurological disability of the upper and lower extremities remains pending.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, low back strain, and neck disability. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders was denied because she failed to report for a necessary VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for neck and back injuries sustained during active duty. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination, is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for herpes zoster with neurological deficits and cervical spine disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and arthritis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 12, 2011. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has forward flexion to no worse than 26 degrees and a combined range of motion of 206 degrees from December 12, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence of current disability related to service.,Service records did not show any injury or abnormality in the shoulders during service. Multiple VA examinations found no current residuals from putative service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted, but both are at their maximum allowable ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims due to missing service treatment records and the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is a congenital abnormality that clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his military service and was not aggravated in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical disability is related to his in-service injuries and finds service connection for this condition is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Veteran's claims, including service connection for variously diagnosed psychiatric disorders, cervical spine arthritis, hypertension, heart disorder, and left leg arthritis, as well as a compensable rating for residuals of a left tibia injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine.

The Veteran's Crohn's disease is currently rated as 60 percent disabling, and his cervical spine degenerative joint disease and bilateral sacroiliac joint degenerative changes are each rated at 10 percent disabling. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Veteran's request for additional vocational rehabilitation and education training, including obtaining a Master of Business Administration degree, was denied because his prior educational accomplishments, work experience, and transferrable skills qualified him to obtain and maintain suitable employment without the need for such additional training.

The Veteran's claims were denied, with the exception of his claim for an increased rating for bilateral calluses, plantar warts, and metatarsalgia. The reduction from 30 to 10 percent was upheld.