Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further proceedings, including scheduling a VA examination and requesting clarification of the veteran's employment history. The veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as a whole.

The veteran was granted a 20% evaluation for her cervical spine disability effective March 7, 2005. The Board is remanding the issue of earlier effective date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various spine and knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and cervicalgia as these conditions are not related to her active duty service or her service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left shoulder involvement.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the veteran's claim of service connection for cervical strain with arthritic changes, and the case is REMANDED to the RO/AMC.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is manifested by complaints of pain and moderately severe limitation of movement, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to February 8, 2007, the veteran's cervical spine disability more closely resembles moderate intervertebral disc disease with recurring attacks. As of February 8, 2007, it does not resemble severe intervertebral disc syndrome or severe limitation of motion and is rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to February 8, 2007 more closely resembles moderate intervertebral disc disease with recurring attacks. As of February 8, 2007, it does not resemble severe lumbosacral strain or severe intervertebral disc syndrome and is rated at 40 percent.,The veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 does not reach the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's right leg radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 does not reach the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's left leg radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's left leg radiculopathy from April 28, 2003 to present is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. It does not reach the level of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a spine examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran is seeking compensation under the 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications from a June 2004 cervical spine surgery at a VA facility, alleging that the care was negligent and resulted in additional disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, psychiatric disorder, cholestasis secondary to sepsis, and acute rhabdomyolysis. The appeal was reopened on new evidence, but no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine spondylolisthesis warranted a 20 percent evaluation, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current VA regulations. The other issues were not addressed as they are not part of this decision.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted it. The veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been addressed.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for the low back and neck disabilities, but denied increased ratings. The veteran was also granted a permanent and total disability rating for VA pension purposes.

The Board found that the veteran did not have a cervical spine disorder during service or due to an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the right index finger and left ring finger, but denied service connection for neck disability and upper back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for proper consideration of her TDIU claim, including a VA examination and additional development of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be afforded another VA examination to evaluate his left upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities, including any radicular impairment. The case will then be readjudicated.