Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and evaluated sinusitis at a 10 percent disability rating. The veteran's claim for reopening the cervical spine condition was successful, as new evidence supported his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder, which began during service and is now diagnosed, was incurred in service. Therefore, service connection for this disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant increased ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracic/lumbar spine disabilities due to his failure to report for VA examinations scheduled in February 2001, November 2001, and May 2002.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for aggravation of a cervical spine disability resulting from VA surgery was granted, and the effective date is set to December 19, 1996 (the date of the surgery). The claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and for an increased rating remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and medical records relied upon concerning those records.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical-dorsal spine disability is currently rated at the maximum allowable under the rating schedule, and his right shoulder radiculopathy and left shoulder injury are also rated at their highest levels. No new evidence was provided to reopen service connection claims for pes planus with right bunionectomy, residuals of a right knee meniscectomy, and chronic low back disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of cervical and lumbar spine disorders having origins in service, thus denying them.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck disability is related to his in-service injuries and granted service connection for residuals of a neck injury.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a fall in service. The veteran's other claims are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development of the evidence, including verification of service dates and VA examinations. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder bursitis, ear disability, sinus disability, low back disability (to include arthritis), and neck disability. Service connection was granted for bursitis of the right shoulder.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the veteran's service connection claims.

The Board found no probative medical evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disorder to his period of active duty service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck, right leg, and headaches disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right knee disability, migraine headaches, and major depression.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder, coccygeal strain, and headaches. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide further development.