Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for postoperative residuals of a neck tumor/lesion excision and eczematous dermatitis of the hands, both determined to be of service origin.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral spine.

The veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely as a result of his service-connected disabilities, and the combined disability rating meets the criteria for TDIU effective August 11, 2003.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for right knee chondromalacia and a 10 percent evaluation for residuals of chip fracture, left medial malleolus with post-traumatic arthritis from August 5, 2003. The claims for increased ratings for the veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease and cervical spine condition were denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date prior to September 3, 2004 for the grant of service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied as a matter of law.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic synovitis of the right knee and residuals of cervical disc disease are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine current severity.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for a right shoulder disability. The veteran was also granted service connection for anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied service connection for spondylosis and other residuals of the veteran's decompression and fusion surgery of the cervical spine, finding no evidence that this disability manifested during service or was related to active duty.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent effective January 23, 2006, and TDIU was granted from that date forward.

The Board remanded the veteran's appeals for service connection of a cervical spine disability and for an increased rating above 40 percent for his service-connected low back condition. On remand, VA must obtain additional medical records, provide proper notice to the veteran, and schedule examinations to determine the etiology of the cervical spine condition and reassess the current level of the low back disability.

The appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of the evidence.

The appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the AMC for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected myofascial pain syndrome and sleep apnea, due to a lack of competent medical evidence supporting such a diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, as these conditions were not shown to be related to the veteran's military service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar myositis.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied, but his claims to reopen service connection for a seizure disorder and left knee degenerative joint disease were successful.

The veteran's initial ratings for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and residuals of left hand anatomical snuffbox occult fracture were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is not shown to be more disabling than currently rated at 20 percent.