Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential aggravation of his current cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral hip disabilities during Reserve duty from April 30, 2002, to March 2004. The case will be sent back to the RO for further development including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to service connection will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as SSA records. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being examined again to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's neck disability was found to be at least 15 degrees of forward flexion, resulting in a 20% evaluation for the portion of the appeal period from August 30, 2007, to June 9, 2009.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral ulnar nerve dysfunction and chronic neurogenic process affecting muscles innervated by bilateral S1 spinal nerve root are not etiologically related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing service records and unobtained Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also required to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder/arm disabilities. The Board finds the January 2006 VA examination inadequate and remands the case to obtain an addendum from the examiner providing a medical opinion on the likelihood of these conditions being related to his active service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on credible assertions and in-service stressors. For the cervical spine and meralgia paresthetica claims, new VA examinations are needed to assess current symptomatology and determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right hip DJD is denied as it was not received within one year after separation from service, and the earliest possible effective date is June 21, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's right ear hearing acuity was noted to be within normal limits throughout his military service and post-service evaluations. Service connection is granted for coronary artery disease (CAD) with a non-compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and lower back disabilities were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's range of motion was limited, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) decision and supporting documents, as well as VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are related to his service, with chronic pain and limitation of motion prior to any post-service injuries. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have approximated the criteria for a 70 percent rating from September 26, 2006. The claims for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of cervical fusion and bilateral foraminal compromise C5-C6, C6-C7, and degenerative joint disease is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and left shoulder degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are causally related to his active duty service.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back and left knee disabilities are not related to his service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The issues of direct, secondary, and aggravation service connection will be adjudicated after the additional development.