Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical dysplasia, with residuals, was incurred during her military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete evidence and need for VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The RO is instructed to obtain a medical opinion from a VA examiner to address whether it is as likely as not that the condition is related to an injury or disease in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, and left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for nerve damage and finds that a cervical spine injury was not incurred during service. The veteran's left shoulder impairment is currently rated at 20%.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine if the veteran's cervical spine disorder and fibromyalgia are related to his service-connected disability from right (major) thoracic outlet syndrome with right long thoracic nerve palsy.

The Board has granted an effective date of August 2, 1994 for the 10 percent rating assigned for the veteran's service-connected headaches. The veteran was awarded a 20 percent disability rating for his cervical spine disorder from August 2, 1994.

The Board granted service connection for vasomotor rhinitis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions were aggravated by in-service injuries. The claims for skull fracture, weakness of the right side of the body due to head injury, and memory loss due to head injury were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected left ankle and knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, fibromyalgia, cervical cancer/dysplasia, ear disorder (otitis media and externa), nasal disorder (upper respiratory infections and sinusitis), headache disorder, jaw disorder, cervical spine disorder, and low back disorder. The evidence received since the October 1993 rating decision does not show that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic cervical spine strain is being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of new rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the appellant's specific condition of occipital encephalocele, Chiari II malformation, hydrocephalus, and cervical syringomyelia falls within the spectrum of spina bifida. As her mother served in Vietnam, she is entitled to a monetary allowance under 38 U.S.C.A., Chapter 18.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen her claims of service connection for cervical spine narrowing, osteophytic impingement, and right shoulder disability. The veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5215 due to mild limitation of motion with pain. The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine narrowing and osteophytic impingement and right shoulder disability may be associated with her period of active service, but did not reach a decision on whether they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorders are related to a motor vehicle accident in service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence and a need for a VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran does not suffer from current chronic cervical spine disability and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was incurred as a consequence of active service and is not related to his left-sided paralysis. The claim for left-sided paralysis remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's multiple chronic conditions, including coronary artery disease and generalized anxiety disorder, prevent him from dressing, attending to his wants of nature, and protecting himself from daily hazards. He is not blind or helpless, nor does he require the regular aid and attendance of another person due to being housebound.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals because no timely substantive appeal was filed for his claims of service connection for back disability, left leg disorder, and cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of his claims as he is deceased.