Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spondylosis with multi-level degenerative disc disease, which he claims began in service. The VA has denied this claim based on the absence of any neck problems at service separation or for more than 20 years thereafter. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a rationale from the VA treating physician.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a fatty tumor on the back and his neck condition did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and are not related to any aspect of service. Therefore, service connection is denied.

The veteran's current neck disability is etiologically related to her active duty service, and the Board finds that she incurred a neck disability in active duty service. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and likely etiology of the veteran's current cervical spine disability, particularly in light of the nearly 40-year gap between service and the motor scooter accident.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a low back disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service medical records and treatment records from various facilities. The veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical and lumbar spine disorder will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are incurred in service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, neck, and thoracic joint (chest and ribs) is not related to his service-connected injury to the thoracic muscles with resection of the fourth rib. As a result, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for this condition has been denied.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, and the VA medical opinions indicate that her service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ring finger disability, neck disability, and low back disability. The claim for left chest melanoma is being remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected scar and for service connection for a cervical spine disability due to potential interrelatedness of issues, including possible new CUE in a prior decision. The RO is instructed to obtain SSA records and provide appropriate notice before adjudicating these matters.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, and a disability of the cervical spine. The claims are currently under review.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the service-connected unstable left ankle and granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for a claimed bilateral foot disorder. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disability and service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for a travel board hearing. The issues of service connection for cervical spine arthritis and an increased rating for status post fractured left ankle with traumatic arthritis are pending.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issues of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral arms and bilateral legs, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, arachnoiditis, bilateral leg condition, bilateral foot condition, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right arm condition, and left arm and shoulder contusion have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and residuals of left arm and shoulder contusion.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further review of the claims file, including the September 2001 private medical record. The veteran's claim for service connection is also pending regarding a clear and unmistakable error in a February 1980 rating decision.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine, right shoulder, bilateral wrist and knee disabilities have been granted. However, the claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction remain pending.

The Board found that the veteran's spinal cord tumor of the neck, resulting in laminectomy, was not incurred or aggravated by service and denied his claim.