Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from March 7, 2005. He also received a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity neurologic disability.,The reduction in cervical spine disability rating was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for neck, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for TDIU to the extent that his case was referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of a TDIU award on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral cervical radiculopathy at C5-C6-C8 levels of the upper extremities is not service-connected and there is no evidence linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are granted service connection. The appeals for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, as he is able to engage in sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his active service, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for temporary total evaluation due to convalescence from surgery on October 16, 2006 is remanded for additional development.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen the claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss. However, it did not address the issues regarding cervical spine disorder and thoracic spine disorder due to a remand order.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the left hand has been denied as there is no current disability. The issue of an increased rating for prostatitis remains unresolved.

The case is being remanded due to the failure of the originating agency to separately evaluate and assign a percentage rating for each diagnosed disability, including irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist strain with mild degenerative changes, cervical spine with degenerative changes, thoracic spine with moderate dorsal kyphosis and mild chronic compressions, and lumbar spine with degenerative changes. The Veteran's pension claim is also being remanded.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active service. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to any in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine stenosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service symptoms and treatment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his combat injuries sustained during active service.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely due to injuries sustained during his active duty in Vietnam. The other issues of increased ratings were not addressed as they are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a VA examination to assess his current cervical spine and headache disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated disc. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be directly related to his active military service, while his cervical spine disability is also found to be related to service based on a nexus between the Veteran's performance during service and his current condition.