Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is found to be secondary to her service-connected residuals of fracture at C2 with degenerative joint disease, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and special monthly compensation are denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim received prior to December 31, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an educational assistance benefits rate in excess of 60 percent under the post-9/11 GI Bill is denied as her only qualifying active duty service was less than 18 months and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of forward flexion to 15 degrees or less, nor did it result in favorable ankylosis. The assigned rating is appropriate as the disability has been stable and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board determined that a chronic cervical spine disorder was not observed in service or for many years thereafter and is unrelated to service. As such, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for additional development to determine if it is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not etiologically related to an in-service injury, and therefore service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted service connection, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of evidence in favor of the Veteran's claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability and established service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Board found that a cervical spine disorder was not incurred in service and is not due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The Veteran's assertions of current symptoms during service were deemed insufficient for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for multilevel cervical spondylosis and DDD. The low back disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner's opinion was insufficient.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar strain is service-connected, but his degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is not.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional service treatment records, confirm the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, and schedule the Veteran for an orthopedic VA examination. The Veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if his claim remains denied.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing explanatory information regarding new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the Montgomery RO regarding all six issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and neck disorders are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes related to his spine disabilities. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and either his service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.