Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and upper back disabilities, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a cervical spine disability examination. The issue will be reconsidered under both direct service connection and secondary service connection theories.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected neck and back disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claims will be adjudicated under a merits analysis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is as likely as not related to an injury sustained during service, while his cervical spine disability is less likely caused by a service incident.,Service connection for the lumbar disorder is granted, but service connection for the cervical disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to clarify the current nature and likely etiology of any back and neck disabilities, including as a result of an in-service helicopter crash.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records from a chiropractor. The Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical injuries will be reconsidered based on this additional information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disorders are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional evidence regarding the Veteran's back and neck complaints, specifically from his service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by an accident, and not due to his service-connected conditions. However, as he had been rated totally disabled for over five years prior to his death, the claimant is entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for posttraumatic headaches, and concluded that his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including lumbar spinal stenosis, Adie's tonic syndrome (right eye), nasal deformity, GERD, keratosis, right trapezius muscle spasms (claimed as right shoulder pain), cervical strain, obstructive sleep apnea, thrombosed hemorrhoids, bladder disorder, prostate disorder, basal cell carcinoma, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the chin or jaw, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The cervical spine issue will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a video-conference hearing. The claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions are pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a fracture of the left fifth finger is denied as there are no criteria met for a higher rating.,Service connection for disability of the cervical spine and neck is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Sjogren's syndrome and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 90 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent, effective January 10, 2005. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his DDD of the cervical spine.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a cervical spine strain, including numbness and tingling in the right arm and hand. The Board finds additional development is needed to adjudicate this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, major depressive disorder, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and generalized anxiety disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of bilateral arms is found to be proximately due to his service-connected cervical strain, and the claim for service connection is granted.