Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2004

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disability, which is currently manifested by moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. The Board found that the current cervical spine disability is etiologically related to military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right ankle dislocation, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and gunshot wound to the abdomen. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating in any of these cases.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and to evaluate the veteran's claims under the correct rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was granted, with the current rating of 30 percent being maintained.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation due to a lack of examination records, and requests that additional development be conducted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, which is now granted. Service connection for this condition is established as secondary to the service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle with subluxation and deformity of the sternoclavicular joint. The Board also found that there is no evidence linking the lumbar spine disability to active service or any service-connected condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the evidence, including VA examinations to address service connection and employment issues.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher level of special monthly compensation at a rate greater than 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(l), to include loss of use of the arms and legs.

The Board found that the veteran does not have cervical dysplasia or other chronic cervical disorder related to her period of military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and potentially additional private treatment records.

The Board finds that the veteran's current neck and back conditions are related to his service in December 1944, resulting from an airplane crash. As such, the veteran is granted service connection for these residuals.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spondylosis with degenerative joint disease.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim.

The veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he claims is related to injuries sustained during active duty and reserve service. The Board has determined that an examination is needed to determine the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the appellant's claimed psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, and neck disability.

The Board found no evidence linking osteoporosis of the cervical spine to an injury sustained during active duty for training, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and a VA orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's current cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities were granted. The current disability ratings are effective from the dates specified.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service or within one year after service, and there is no competent evidence linking the appellant's current cervical spine disorders to his periods of service. Therefore, service connection for cervical canal spinal stenosis, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and C5-6 radiculopathy was denied.