Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because his substantive appeal was not timely filed within one year of notification of the March 2000 rating decision and more than six months after issuance of the August 13, 2001 SOC.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and a review of the claims folder.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, including herniated discs and arthritis, did not pre-exist service or become worse during service. The Board also noted that arthritis was first clinically demonstrated many years after separation from service.

The Board finds that the veteran's current thoracic and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her military service, as there is no competent medical evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and any in-service findings or occupational duties. The VA examiners have provided conflicting opinions regarding whether the veteran's current symptoms may be linked to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional notification and evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding whether an appeal from a rating decision denying an increased rating for a cervical spine disability was timely filed. The veteran's other claims, including those for headaches and a TDIU, are still pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and is now considering its merits. The veteran's cervical spine condition was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further examination and review of his claims file, including for an adequate VA examination regarding cervical spine disability and low back strain. The veteran also has raised additional issues that are not currently before the Board.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities of the cervical and lumbar spine were incurred in service, specifically due to motor vehicle accidents during active duty. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur any injuries to the neck or head during service, including from a fall on a piling in July 1959. The veteran's current symptoms are attributed to post-service employment-related accidents.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of VA examinations and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's increased disability rating for degenerative disease of the cervical spine. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from obtaining or retaining a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating for compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and chronic cervical spine disorder are related to service, but his left shoulder disorder is not. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine condition to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the service-connected cervical strain with degenerative disease, effective from the date of claim in March 1999.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for PTSD and a cervical spine disorder. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for Schamberg's disease is REMANDED to the RO.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development.