Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated tension headaches were evaluated, but the cervical spine disability was not granted an increased rating. The Veteran received a separate 50% rating for his service-connected tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability with torticollis and tremor is rated at 40 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on current medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions pre-existed service, but did not provide clear and unmistakable evidence to support this conclusion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent initial rating effective from the date of separation.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a spinal disability, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a new VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its onset during active service and is not etiologically related to his service-connected left shoulder condition, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting congenital fusion of the C2-3 vertebrae with degenerative disc disease at C3 through C7 was aggravated during service, and his headaches are secondary to his cervical spine disability. The Veteran's dorsal (thoracic) spine disorder is also considered secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The issues of service connection, rating for cervical spine disorder, and rating for sinusitis are still pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability due to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The September 2005 VA examiner did not address the Veteran's complaints of upper extremity numbness and pain, which occurred shortly after his July 8, 1998, in-service accident.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is unrelated to his service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability secondary to lumbar spine disability remains under further evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's neck disability is causally related to his active duty service, while his back disability was not shown by medical evidence of record to be etiologically related to a disease, injury, or event in service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their CUE motion regarding the June 8, 2011 decision denying increased disability ratings for various conditions. As a result, the Board dismissed the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including lumbosacral strain, thoracolumbar strain with levoscoliosis, degenerative spondylosis at T10-11, sacral strain with left sacral torsion, bilateral sciatica, and bladder incontinence, are not service-connected.

The Board finds that the appellant's cervical spine disability is causally related to his active service, granting service connection.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for increased ratings and service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, including a need for additional development of evidence.