Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of neck scar, service connection for psychiatric disability and cervical spine disability, and special monthly compensation based on a spouse's need for aid and attendance were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated weakness are being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left foot fracture, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to January 24, 2005 for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability and his claims of service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a claim before January 24, 2005, which is when he filed his petition to reopen his previously denied claim. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including whether it is secondary to his service-connected low back and right shoulder disabilities. The case will be returned to the AMC for further action.

The Board found that the evidence of record is against a finding that the Veteran has a current cervical spine or cervical radiculopathy disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was found to have been aggravated by service, and he is now entitled to a 30% evaluation for his cold injury residuals of the feet. Service connection has not been established for cervical or lumbar spine disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disability, degenerative joint disease and degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine, and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated during service and are not related to his service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and hip disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral shoulder, left hip, and left ankle disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Board denied both issues on appeal, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for arthritis of the right arm. The issue of service connection for spondylotic myelopathy of the cervical spine was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative changes of the cervical spine are related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition. The issues of right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder, both secondary to the cervical spine disability, will be addressed separately.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for perianal cyst/abscess has been granted, but the appeal is not about service connection for cervical spine disorder or dental disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, a neck (cervical spine) disability, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's skin disorder was not related to service, but herpes simplex was found to be related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left lower extremity hemiparesis, cervical spine degenerative changes, and other orthopedic conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to their combined effects. The Board grants the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying his reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing addendum opinions from a VA examiner and Dr. H.