Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder is service-connected as secondary to his cervical spine condition. His degenerative changes, cervical spine status post C6-7 fusion are currently rated at 20 percent and his bilateral hip disorder has not been evaluated separately.

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

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his cervical spine disability and updated medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examination in determining the etiology of his current disabilities. The Veteran must undergo further examinations to address these issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, to include arthritis, and cervical spine disability, to include osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including papillomas of the vocal cord, low back disability, and injuries to his heels and ankles. The Board found no current disabilities related to these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected herniated disc of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent, but does not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or neurologic manifestations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since April 12, 2006. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to address the issue of secondary service connection for neurological manifestations in the left upper extremity.

The Board found that the appellant's additional disability was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment and was not a foreseeable event. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disabilities are not related to an in-service right buttock contusion, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no evidence that any current cervical, low back, or left knee disability is related to service. The Veteran's complaints and diagnoses are not linked to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current cervical spine disability or chronic headache disorder related to service. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by medications for his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability, finding that there was no competent and credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is at least as likely as not aggravated by her service-connected right foot disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including associated lower extremity neurologic manifestations, are granted. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine condition was not incurred or aggravated by his military service and is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.