Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU due to his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the RO properly assigned the effective date of October 26, 1998.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine disability is granted, and the cervical spondylosis with stenosis claim is pending. Secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy and erectile dysfunction are also pending.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran has a cervical spine disorder as a result of service or a service-connected disability, and whether it is at least as likely as not that he has a cervical spine disorder caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities (lumbosacral sprain and dislocated left shoulder).

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, but his TDIU and tinnitus claims were denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to insufficient information in the claims file regarding the condition of his cervical spine subsequent to surgery. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for residuals of neck injury, including disc disease of the cervical spine. The medical opinion provided by a VA physician indicates that these conditions are related to an in-service neck injury.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability with chronic strain is productive of moderate limitation of motion, and the Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent (but no higher) for this condition is warranted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of neck, back, and knee disabilities. The claim for hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the competent and probative medical evidence of record is against a finding that the veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and an increased evaluation for residuals of a cervical compression fracture with post-operative residuals of a spinal fusion. The veteran's lumbar disorder was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and his cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected arthritis of the cervical and dorsal spine was denied as there is no evidence showing a severe limitation of motion or associated neurological abnormalities.

The veteran withdrew his appeals, thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining verification of service periods and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board granted separate 10 percent ratings for osteoarthritis of the right and left hip, a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and 30 percent rating for duodenal ulcer, hiatal hernia and erosive esophagitis effective from October 25, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected dorsal spine disability does not warrant a higher rating, and did not meet the criteria for service connection of cervical or lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine, thoracic spine, and condition manifested by headaches and blackouts were not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The veteran's cervical disc degeneration with cervical brachial neuralgia was granted service connection as it was found to be related to her November 1978 automobile accident.

The veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and right knee disorder, including arthritis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including arthritis, was denied as there is no evidence of an inservice injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical disc disease is being remanded due to the failure to provide proper VCAA notice.