Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis but denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease was manifested by a disability picture consistent with intervertebral disc syndrome that was no more than severely disabling with recurring attacks and intermittent relief for the period from April 16, 1992 to April 16, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and lack of review by VA examiners. The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and headaches.

Service connection for sinusitis was denied. The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for cervical strain prior to March 25, 2002 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.,The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 31, 2005 and denied for higher ratings after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively, are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice regarding reopening of the cervical spine claim.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent for its neurological manifestations, which the Board finds do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of any claimed conditions related to his military service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The veteran's lumbar, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders are being evaluated in light of their potential service connection.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of right knee, left knee, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, or skin disorders (other than scars), and therefore, his claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine have been denied. The claim for hypertension has also been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and bone spurs of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such findings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to an injury sustained in active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder resulted from an injury incurred during service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing proper VCAA notice and scheduling VA examinations to address the etiology of the claimant's cervical spine disabilities and migraine headaches.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, and musculo-contracture headaches were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for DDD of the low back was granted with an effective date of April 9, 2003.,The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a cervical spine disorder was granted with an effective date of April 9, 2003.,The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for bipolar disorder was granted with an effective date of April 9, 2002. SMC at the housebound rate was also granted as of this date.