Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations. The RO has granted initial ratings of 10 percent for each condition, effective from August 6, 1998.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic cervical strain is manifested by limited range of motion, but not to the extent that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining additional medical opinions and potentially obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a disability manifested by temporary memory loss and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical disk herniation was incurred in active service, and therefore grants service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his range of motion and symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for low back strain with bulging discs at L4-5 and traumatic arthritis was maintained at 40 percent, but the effective date of secondary service connection for bladder dysfunction was not earlier than March 20, 1998.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining pertinent post-service treatment records and affording the Veteran an appropriate VA examination. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an acquired psychiatric disability or a neck disability during service, and the competent medical evidence does not support a finding of current disabilities related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his cervical spine degenerative disc disease, internal hemorrhoids, inguinal hernia, and lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability. The claims of service connection for residuals of a fractured mandible and dental trauma to the lower front teeth were denied as they are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The claim for higher initial rating for low back strain was denied, but the Veteran received a compensable evaluation for osteomyelitis of the lumbar spine with septic arthritis and a noncompensable evaluation for residuals of fracture of the left ring finger. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of previous VA opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative spondylosis. The examiner should address whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran had a preexisting condition prior to service, if so, whether it was aggravated during service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran was granted service connection for cervicalgia, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica. Service connection for a left ulnar nerve disorder is also granted.,Service connection is established based on the direct relationship between the claimed conditions and the in-service injury.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her in-service injuries. The effective date is not specified as it was granted during the appeal process.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for cervical spinal stenosis with radiculopathy and granted it, finding that new evidence submitted since the final March 2006 rating decision relates to an unestablished fact necessary to grant the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted a 20 percent evaluation effective October 27, 2011. The claim for TDIU benefits was denied.