Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment provided at Grays Harbor Hospital beginning on March 27, 2009 are granted due to the emergent nature of his condition and the unfeasibility of using VA facilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and increased ratings in the specified cases, thus dismissing these matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and reschedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical strain with radiation into the right paraspinous musculature. The Veteran's STRs show he suffered a neck injury while swimming, leading to chronic pain over time.

The Veteran's right foot heel spur is rated at 10% due to moderate disability, but no higher.,Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation as it does not cause limitation in motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, and headache disabilities based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,Service treatment records show the Veteran experienced back pain during service in 1986 and 1988. Post-service treatment records confirm a current disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disability other than PTSD, cervical radiculopathy, onychomycosis of the feet and toes, a fungus infection of the first finger, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's annual income was found to be excessive for nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including gastritis and ulcer. The issues of service connection for back and neck disabilities are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted, and he is assigned a 20% rating for his cervical spine disability effective November 29, 2004. The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for the cervical spine disorder from June 20, 2007 to present is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated due to procedural defects and requires further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, are being remanded for additional development. The Veteran is also requested to provide the names and addresses of any private or VA medical providers who have provided treatment since November 2009.

The Veteran's right arm and hand symptoms, including pain, swelling, numbness, and tingling, have been attributed to his cervical spine spondylosis and retrolisthesis. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disabilities, including a compression fracture of the cervical spine and degenerative disc disease, are related to his in-service injury. The claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability). The claims for service connection for quadrilateral numbness and headaches, both claimed as secondary to a cervical spine disability, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of whiplash injury of the cervical spine and left upper extremity paresthesia, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss or a neck disability and peripheral neuropathy that are attributable to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted special monthly compensation.