Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of July 1, 2006. The earlier effective date request for July 29, 2004 is denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and effective dates of June 19, 2006 were assigned. The appeals for earlier effective dates are denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated during his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The appellant had a preexisting left knee disorder and was not shown to have any new injuries or diseases in ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. He also did not meet the criteria for service connection due to his psychiatric condition, deep vein thrombosis of the left leg, or pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The right hip disability remains at a non-compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.,Service connection was granted for a peri-anal abscess, to include hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the veteran's major depressive disorder, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability were incurred in service. The mental health disorder began during his period of active duty due to an incident involving back pain and wrongful accusations. The lumbar strain is related to a diagnosed condition during service, while the cervical spine disability is not related to any aspect of service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities and a left knee disability, finding that the conditions did not manifest during or as a result of active duty.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical records and for further consideration of his claims.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disorders.

The Board denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 because the veteran was not service-connected for a disability rated as 100% disabling for at least 10 years prior to his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection and earlier effective dates have been abandoned due to her failure to respond within the required time frame.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings were denied. The right leg disability was rated at 30 percent prior to January 7, 2005, and as of March 1, 2006. Cervical radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed arthritis in multiple joints is not related to his active service and denied the claim.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for such an increase based on current symptoms and limitations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for fungus of the feet and chest, compound fracture of the cervical spine, and low back disability. The evidence did not show a current diagnosis or link to military service.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for diverticulitis and an increased rating for spastic torticollis, but granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent for multi-level cervical spine spondylosis with cervical muscle strain effective December 5, 2005. The veteran's appeal is dismissed.