Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's preexisting cervical spine fusion was aggravated during his active service, and whether he should be granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is manifested by a limitation of flexion and range of motion, but no clinical observations of muscle spasms or abnormal contour. The Veteran experiences neck pain, stiffness, and loss of sleep, which he manages with over-the-counter medication and a heating pad.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, but a rating of more than 10 percent is denied. The left knee and PTSD claims are not addressed as they were not part of the original appeal.

The Veteran's claims for left knee and neck disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board finds that service connection is established for a left knee disability, but further development is needed before addressing the claim for a neck disability on its merits.

The Board has found that there is no competent medical evidence of record relating the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities to his service in the military. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities. The case is therefore being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and cervical strain were denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied reopening of previous final decisions regarding service connection for a back disorder and sinusitis, as well as service connection for cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims were all found to lack new and material evidence.

The Board determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from smoke inhalation due to a fire, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's right foot hallux valgus and cervical spine disability. The increased rating claim for PTSD is also addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim for further development and an examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an examination to determine the current severity of her cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that a cervical spine disorder was incurred in or related to service, including as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service or continuity of symptomatology since service. The claims for service connection have therefore been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic, acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD or any other psychiatric disability that had its clinical onset or is otherwise related to his service. As a result, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing and an effective date prior to July 8, 2009 for TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, previously adjudicated as service connection for facet joint syndrome of the neck and shoulders and arthritis of the spinal column, is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and ankle disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the medical evidence does not support a connection to service.