Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of emergent medical expenses at a non-VA facility is denied as he did not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The veteran's appeal is to be remanded for the VA Regional Office (RO) to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records and consider them in connection with his claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for a service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his spine and skin conditions, including seeking service connection for periodontal disease and increased disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The VA determined that the veteran's herniated disc of the cervical spine does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disability and events in service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing notice regarding the specific criteria necessary to establish a higher disability rating for his cervical spine DDD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbago with degenerative disc disease and decreased range of motion of the cervical spine do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including notifying the veteran of the new and material evidence standard in effect prior to August 29, 2001, and a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's neurological disability of the left hand. The cervical spine claim will be reviewed under this new standard.

The veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for fibrocystic breast disease has been withdrawn.,The veteran's TMJ dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent, and a higher evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,The veteran's right upper quadrant cholecystectomy and appendectomy scar is currently rated as noncompensably disabling, and a compensable evaluation is not warranted under the applicable rating criteria.,Based on her service-connected disabilities, including depression, obstructive sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, duodenal ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, TMJ dysfunction, cervical strain, scar excision for Morton's neuroma of the right foot, and left arm ulnar neuropathy associated with cervical sprain, the veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and assigned a 10 percent initial rating, effective October 1, 2002.

The veteran's hypertension was not incurred during active service and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.,Bilateral peripheral neuropathy has not been diagnosed, and the earliest evidence of a diagnosis is several years after separation from service.,Spermatocele was first clinically confirmed during a period of IDT following a motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted based on this history.,PTSD does not meet criteria for total occupational and social impairment.,Cervical contusion and sprain have been manifested by moderate limitation of motion with no incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest.,Lumbar spine contusion and strain with radiculopathy were manifested by characteristic pain on motion with slight to severe limitations in motion, but without incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prior or since February 24, 2006.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia of the right knee, and chondromalacia of the left knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed.

The Board finds no entitlement to benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a delay in treatment and improper surgical procedure, as both are considered appropriate medical care.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his cervical spine disorder and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the cervical spine disorder prior to November 6, 1997 and increased it to 20 percent effective from that date. Service connection was also granted for a headache disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and inadequate VCAA notifications. The veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, along with his claim regarding bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also found that the veteran sustained a fracture of his right fifth toe in service, which is now considered service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for depressive disorder, nocturnal myoclonus/ restless leg syndrome, cervical spine disorder, arthritis, and myeloma/melanoma on the abdomen. The left foot/toes disorder was evaluated but not granted a compensable rating.

The VA determined that the veteran's current chronic neck disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.