Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical spondylosis. The veteran's claim was based on direct service connection.

The Board found no current cervical spine disability, and denied service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury. Service connection was also denied for leg cramps and fibrocystic breast changes as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for various conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and dysthymic disorder. The appeal is pending further development.

The veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his multiple service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of various joints and arrhythmia. He does not meet criteria for housebound status.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is manifested by X-ray evidence of degenerative changes at the cervical spine and severe chronic neck pain, warranting an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorders do not warrant ratings in excess of 30% prior to December 29, 1997, and 40% prior to June 11, 2001. The effective date for the increased rating remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of cervical strain, including consideration of new and old rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative changes with narrowed disc spaces of the cervical spine, finding that it more nearly approximates pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities, including incomplete paralysis of the right ulnar nerve, limitation of motion of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a scar on the occipital region of the upper neck. The claim for malaria was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is being remanded to the RO for further action.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected cervical spine disability and fibromyalgia are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches and a right knee disability, are severe enough to prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities within one year prior to November 2, 2000. Therefore, an earlier effective date for TDIU is not warranted.

The veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations. The issues of service connection for PTSD and chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, memory loss, blurred vision, joint aches, insomnia, and depression are being addressed.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability. However, it was determined that the veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability is not due to an in-service disease or injury. The cervical spine disability was also not due to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his active service or a service-connected low back condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal regarding his service connection and increased disability evaluation for left knee injury with degenerative joint disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The effective date of the 40% rating was set at May 2, 1991.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional medical records and considering whether staged ratings are warranted.