Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's current bilateral wrist condition is service-connected, and the Board grants his appeal for this issue. The remaining issues are referred to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical, thoracic, left arm, and left ankle disorders. The Board found that there was not sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for upper back and neck disabilities, diagnosed as scapulocostal syndrome and cervical spondylosis, respectively. The diagnoses are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical and thoracic spine disabilities were denied. The reopened claims of service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for all issues before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability prior to August 29, 2006 based on insufficient evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical disc disease with multiple disc herniations, residuals of a fracture of the L3-4 transverse process and L5-S1 disc herniation, and vasovagal syndrome were denied as there is no evidence of service connection or any other basis to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the lumbosacral strain claim receiving staged ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, and entitlement to initial compensable ratings for a right ankle scar and bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of the Veteran's National Guard and Army Reserve service records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various joint disabilities were denied. The Board found that the earliest date entitlement arose was November 6, 1998, when the Veteran filed a claim for increased ratings and reexamination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is incurred in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ulnar nerve disability, and cervical spine disability, each to include as due to undiagnosed illness, should be remanded for further development. Specifically, a new VA Gulf War Guidelines examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent, while the thoracolumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 25, 2010, and 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including additional examinations and consideration of whether referral to the appropriate official under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of his current employment status.