Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for Social Security Administration records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection, as there is no medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for additional evidence, including a report of an MRI study.

The veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a motor vehicle accident, including headaches, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, mild joint space narrowing of the bilateral shoulders, and dizziness are granted. The claim for service connection for panic attacks as a residual of a motor vehicle accident is denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his neck injury was denied as the earliest date he expressed interest in reopening the claim is August 1, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep impairment, short-term memory loss, and cervical ribs. The other claims have been denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for her service-connected cervical spondylosis, and the RO has requested additional medical records to evaluate her condition.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability do not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed neck injury and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a psychiatric disability characterized as depression. However, it found no new evidence that would establish service connection and denied both the original claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and the secondary service connection claim based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has not found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral and cervical spines, but has determined that some issues may be granted based on reopening.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip and cervical spine disabilities do not warrant a higher disability evaluation based on current symptoms and medical evidence.

The veteran's death was not due to a service-connected disability, and the appellant is not entitled to DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he did not meet the required criteria for total disability rating.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities were granted, with the effective date of March 26, 2002.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected cervical strain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.,For his cervical spine disability, the veteran met the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating prior to January 19, 2005, and in excess of 30 percent therefrom. However, he did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.,The right shoulder disability did not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.,For his service-connected hypothyroidism, the veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 15, 2002, and in excess of 30 percent therefrom. The veteran's ankle disorder was not found to be incurred during active service.,The veteran failed to submit a substantive appeal regarding his claim for increased ratings on headaches.

The veteran's cervical spine disability with traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran's paresthesia of the left upper extremity has been separately evaluated and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral shoulder tendonitis and strain, left shoulder bursitis, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claims for hand disability and joint pain were not addressed as they are separate issues.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disorder. The veteran's current back problems are found to be related to his active duty service.