Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's appeal is for a total rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO must ensure all VCAA notice obligations have been satisfied and request all pertinent medical records from the veteran's providers. They should also schedule VA orthopedic, audiological, and special audio examinations to determine the nature and current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, left ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to a lack of evidence linking his cardiovascular disease to his military service. The DIC claim was also denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Board has established service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that it is related to his period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for fusion of the cervical spine and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are congenital in nature and not related to active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was reopened, resulting in the grant of entitlement to service connection. The rating for her cervical spine disability remains at 30 percent prior to June 26, 1997 and increases to an unspecified higher percentage after that date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing VA medical records and for obtaining statements from witnesses who can provide information about the veteran's cervical spine symptoms.

The veteran's initial ratings for residuals of a cervical spine injury and somatoform disorder have been granted, with the highest possible rating (60%) assigned for both conditions.

The appellant's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability was granted from February 6, 1995 to July 15, 1997.,His hypertension with renal insufficiency received an increased evaluation to 80 percent disabling effective from February 6, 1995.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding service connection for various conditions. The case is now remanded for additional evidence collection.

The Board has determined that further VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any cervical disorder found to be present, including whether such disorder may be caused by the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of L5-S1.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's cervical spine condition. The case is now remanded for additional examination and review.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice and development of medical records.

The veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his nerve disorder (including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome), were not found to be related to service or exposure to chemical herbicides. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has ordered further development due to incomplete evidence. The case is now being sent back for additional development, including obtaining hospital summaries and clinical records from the veteran's treatment at St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues and is remanding the case back to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for claimed disability of hips, knees, ankles and cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a low back and cervical spine disorder, finding that any current disorders did not begin in or are related to service.