Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities as well as his residuals of shell fragment wounds of the left and right shoulders.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma with cystic degeneration, left cervical lymph node due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cervical C6-7 herniation, finding that prior to September 23, 2002, the disability was productive of no more than mild intervertebral disc syndrome. Between September 23, 2002, and September 25, 2003, it was productive of intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least one week but less than two weeks during the past 12 months. From September 26, 2003, forward, it has been productive of intervertebral disc syndrome with specific range of motion findings.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was not present during service or related to military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that a uniform 20% evaluation for cervical spine strain is warranted from August 24, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is service-connected. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending and requires further examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 and 4.30 was denied because the surgery performed at a VA medical center on October 29, 2001, pertained to a nonservice-connected cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of a fracture to the cervical spine, C6-C7 region is being remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action due to VCAA compliance issues and additional evidence retrieval.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate recurrent attacks or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran developed additional disability as a result of treatment at the VA medical facility in September 2002.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and dorsal spine disorders. The low back disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient information.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left leg disorder, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case has been remanded for further development including a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her cervical spine disability did not warrant an increase beyond 20 percent, and her L5-S1 spondylosis with grade I spondylolisthesis did not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board found that the veteran's currently diagnosed back disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected right ear hearing loss, mastoiditis with headaches, and positional vertigo, is being remanded due to the need for de novo review by VA personnel.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation from March 6, 1997. The thoracic and cervical spine disabilities were not granted any additional evaluations.