Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including residuals of a right 5th metacarpal fracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, TBI, tinnitus, and PTSD. The AOJ should ensure that these examinations are scheduled and completed.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with cognitive/memory issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine condition, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and a lower back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 20, 2015.,Prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and right elbow disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for an adequate etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including pain and limitation of movement, was incurred in service. The Board granted service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals like tetrahydro fluorine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was denied, and his ratings for cervical spine disability were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in rating.

The Veteran's current neck disability is reasonably shown to be related to an injury in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. The right foot and right knee issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found in favor of the Veteran, granting her claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected cervical spine conditions and lumbar sprain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and translation of records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU. The claims for increased ratings of left hip conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the issues of evaluating lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with RLE radiculopathy, is granted service connection. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) are remanded. Service connection for psychiatric disability (secondary to lumbar spine disorder) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to cooperate with scheduling of a VA examination. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective September 27, 2014. His degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and hypertension are each rated at 30 percent, also effective September 27, 2014.

The Veteran's neck disability and upper extremity radiculopathy are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset in service.