Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, is not related to service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between any in-service injury or trauma and his current condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a cervical spine/neck disability with headaches. The claims for liver disorder, hip disorder, and erectile dysfunction secondary to multiple service-connected disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions or a causal link to military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have PTSD, a low back disability, a cervical spinal disability, bilateral eye disability, or skin rash. The right ankle and left knee disabilities are also denied as service connection is already granted for these conditions under another theory of service connection. The joint pain in hands, right wrist, and right shoulder, along with generalized muscle aches, have been previously granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and evidence, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 of the United States Code, finding that she was rehabilitated and did not meet the criteria for reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his cervical spine disability and psychiatric condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the veteran's claims assistance act of 2000 (VCAA) and will be remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current back disorder, sinus disability, and tingling of the arms and hands. The effective dates for service connection are also being reviewed.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of an injury to his cervical spine, chronic prostate problems, mitral valve prolapse, and chronic arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of current disability or show that any condition was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being in need of aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to perform activities of daily living such as feeding, dressing himself, keeping himself clean and presentable or tending to the wants of nature.

The veteran's cause of death was due to metastatic cancer of the thoracic spine, which originated from thyroid cancer. Prostate cancer is not considered a service-connected condition as it did not recur after treatment and had low PSA levels.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected cervical adenitis, tuberculous was initially granted with a noncompensable rating. The RO increased the initial rating to 10 percent effective July 14, 1998.

The Board found no evidence of a current left wrist disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are likely related to her military service, but there is insufficient medical evidence to establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected neurological disorder of the cervical spine, currently evaluated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the veteran's cervical spine disability since September 23, 2002. The disability is currently rated as severe due to limitation of motion and episodes of pain radiating into the upper extremity.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the issuance of a statement of the case (SOC) on earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various spinal and ankle conditions have been remanded due to procedural deficiencies in the notification process.