Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities of the cervical and lumbar spine were incurred in service, specifically due to motor vehicle accidents during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur any injuries to the neck or head during service, including from a fall on a piling in July 1959. The veteran's current symptoms are attributed to post-service employment-related accidents.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's increased disability rating for degenerative disease of the cervical spine. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or retaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating for compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and chronic cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his left shoulder disorder is not. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine condition to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the service-connected cervical strain with degenerative disease, effective from the date of claim in March 1999.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and a cervical spine disorder. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for Schamberg's disease is REMANDED to the RO.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not caused by or a result of his service-connected disabilities, and denied all claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action due to VCAA notification issues and consideration of revised spine rating criteria.

The Board denied entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the dorsal spine, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The veteran appealed this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and low back disorder, finding that these conditions are related to service. The claim for reopening a low back disorder was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected seizure disorder and cervical discogenic disease with fusion of the C5-C6 and C6-C7 vertebrae, limitation of motion, decreased left hand grip and dizziness. The effective date for both conditions remains at their current assigned levels.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for cervical spine and left elbow disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, a cervical spine disorder, a right eye disorder, and a left leg disorder due to additional development of evidence being required.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosed conditions, including arthritis of multiple joints, are related to his service-connected shrapnel wounds and thus grants service connection for these disabilities.