Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, facial scars, and neck scars were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for service connection of a psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) has been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not attributable to his periods of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his muscle spasm of the cervical spine secondary to service-connected separation of the right clavicle, finding that the condition resulted in no more than moderate limitation of motion prior to September 26, 2003 and limited forward flexion to not less than 20 degrees after that date.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on orthopedic manifestations, incapacitating episodes, or neurological manifestations.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine strain and headaches. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and grants this claim.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and an opinion on service connection for a neck disability. The veteran is to provide any additional medical records from before 1999 and must be scheduled for a VA examination.

The veteran's neck injury, resulting from carrying a heavy book bag during vocational rehabilitation classes, was not directly caused by an essential activity or function within the scope of his program. Therefore, he is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various spine and joint disabilities were denied by the Board. The conditions are service-connected, but no presumption or secondary theory of connection was established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a neck, right shoulder, right arm, right knee, or right hip disability that is related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence of arthritis in the relevant joints during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and reviewing the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied.,Service connection was not granted for headaches, TMJ, or cervical spine whiplash.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and residuals of face trauma. The appeal is REMANDED for these purposes.

The veteran's initial evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the right and left shoulders were denied, while his evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and arthritis of the lumbar spine are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, left index finger fracture residuals, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, frostbite residuals, gastrointestinal disorder, and otitis media.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of both hands and wrists, secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities.