Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbosacral spine is service connected, based on evidence showing it began during his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, but new evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.,Service connection for gouty arthritis is not established as there is no chronicity of symptomatology or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic cervical muscle strain was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the current VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need to obtain additional information and records, including SSA records and treatment records from VA. The Veteran's claims for service connection on these issues are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, residuals status post pilon fracture with open reduction and retained hardware, right tibia, ankle, and a fracture of the left femur, render him physically helpless in performing activities of daily living or protecting himself from everyday hazards.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a neck disability, manifested by chronic headaches, loss of feeling in the left hand and right hand, and loss of feeling in the left foot and right foot, was granted. The Veteran's service connection claim for a hernia was denied. A rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from December 8, 2010, was granted. The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disorder characterized by pain, including as secondary to his service-connected muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for a cervical spine disability. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, back disorder, or headache disorder. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any such disorders are related to military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine surgeries were deemed to be the result of a normal course of treatment and not due to any fault on the part of VA.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and arranging for the Veteran to undergo appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected facet syndrome with sclerosis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracic and cervical spine disabilities require additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disorder that is related to her military service or any other condition. Therefore, she cannot be granted service connection for this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO. The claims of service connection for Addison's disease and reopening the claim for spondylosis, cervical spine are pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and will provide further development before deciding the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus, depression and anxiety disorder, cervical spine strain, and thoracic spine strain are all found to be related to service.,An initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hands, feet, legs (knees), shoulders, ankles, and cervical and lumbar spine segments.

The Veteran's initial rating for his cervical spine disorder is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, nor any type of ankylosis. The Veteran was also not shown to have incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disk syndrome.