Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and cervical degenerative disc disease are related to his service, specifically his parachute jumping in Vietnam. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical spondylosis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected chronic low back strain with degenerative changes, prior to September 20, 2009, has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes and stenosis, currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, prior to April 1, 2010, has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar strains, and a knee injury is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his alleged active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cervical strain was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to Board decision.,The claim of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and dyspnea or shortness of breath has been reopened, but further development is needed due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's cervical strain does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion is within the limits that would warrant such a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability incurred or aggravated by service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted. The Board also found that the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disorders are not related to his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine injury is not related to her service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left foot. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10% prior to August 24, 2010. After a review of his medical records and examination findings, the Board has determined that he is entitled to an increased rating to 20%. The effective date for this increase in rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as there was no earlier formal or informal claim for the conditions listed.,An effective date of January 16, 1951 is granted for service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) with objective evidence of spasms and neurological symptoms appropriate to diseases of the disc, is rated at 60 percent effective from the date of his claim to May 17, 2010.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service or until many years thereafter, and there is no credible evidence linking the cervical spine disorder to service or to a service-connected disability. Therefore, service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical strain disability, effective from September 27, 2010. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain issue is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine and low back strain disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of forward flexion of the cervical spine or thoracolumbar spine meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.