Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not originate in service and denied his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative condition of the cervical spine at C5-C6 and C6-7 with pain and headaches due to cerebral concussion, lumbar spinal stenosis, and residuals of bilateral cataract surgery. Service connection was denied for arthritis of the left hand and allergy condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the veteran's current neck and back disorders are related to his service-connected bronchiectasis. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck/cervical spine and low back disorders, including whether they are causally related to the veteran's period of service or if they were aggravated by his service-connected bronchiectasis.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with the exception of a gynecological disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities were granted by the RO in March 2003 with effective dates of February 27, 1998, March 30, 2000, and January 12, 2000 respectively.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as they predate the effective dates granted by the RO.

The veteran's initial evaluations for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic headaches were both granted, with the latter being rated at a compensable level of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for right rotator cuff tear and cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome due to a swine flu vaccination, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, syphilis, right foot disability, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his medical records and to determine the appropriate ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to August 25, 2000.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for proper VCAA notification and compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing and further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a claimed neck disability, finding that there was no current disability and no medical evidence linking any such disability to service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess his employability due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased evaluations of her service-connected lower back and cervical spine disorders, finding that no increase in disability was factually ascertainable prior to June 11, 2002.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that his condition has been manifested by severe limitation of motion due to pain without neurological deficit throughout the course of this appeal.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chondromalacia patella, results in limitation of extension to -10 degrees and flexion to 122 degrees with pain at 97 degrees. The VA has granted a 20 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his right shoulder disorder, as well as his cervical spine disorder. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records and provide the veteran with an opportunity to submit additional evidence.