Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, finding new evidence that supports a possible link to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected, and he is also granted service connection for low back disability and neck disability. The residuals of shrapnel wounds are not addressed as they were not part of the original appeal.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left shoulder radiculopathy and left knee ACL injury are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his left shoulder disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's back disability and dental trauma residuals are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, low back, and right shoulder conditions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to insufficient notice, outstanding medical records, and the need for new examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for cervical spine disability and found that new evidence received since the last denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. However, the Board denied the claim on the merits as there is no competent medical opinion linking the current cervical spine disorder to service.

The veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, D.C. for further review.

The veteran's service connection claims for stomach disability, low back disability, cervical spine disability, residuals of urethritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses for most of his claimed conditions, and those with current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence linking them to military service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the veteran sustained a jaw disorder, to include a disorder involving the inferior alveolar nerve, in service. Therefore, service connection for this condition was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of increased disability within one year prior to March 30, 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition was not caused by VA treatment in 1980 or 1981.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the veteran's failure to report for VA examinations, and further clarification is needed regarding the etiology of his cervical spine disorder, right eye disorder, left leg disorder, and service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, residuals of a head injury, and cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.