Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected spinal cerebellar degeneration, which is currently rated at 10 percent. The condition is characterized by mild symptoms and no more than mild disability.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for a cervical spine disability and headaches is being remanded due to recent changes in regulations.

The veteran's service connection claims for back and left hip injuries were granted. The claim for a higher initial rating for the ankle fracture was denied.

The veteran's appeal regarding his cervical spine disability was denied, with the RO maintaining that the disability should be rated at 20 percent for the period prior to November 25, 2002 and at 30 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the condition developed years after service and was not caused by any incident of service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and readjudication due to the need for further examination and consideration of new medical evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed knee and cervical spine disorders, as well as his right heel plantar fasciitis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The left ankle disorder was rated at 10 percent based on degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and thoracic spine have been granted initial disability ratings. However, his carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist remains at a noncompensable (zero percent) rating.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The RO will also consider the new schedular criteria for evaluation of intervertebral disc syndrome that became effective September 23, 2002.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The RO will then re-adjudicate the claims under the appropriate rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA). The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is being considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spondylosis and lumbar stenosis are as likely as not related to his service, specifically a parachute landing in 1944 during combat. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability, cervical spine injury, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with headaches have been granted. The veteran is now rated at the maximum available rating for his low back disability as of September 19, 2001.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The RO granted increased evaluations for his right foot disability, scars of the face and neck, and donor site scar of the iliac crest.

The Board has ordered further development due to the need for new evidence. The case is now being remanded back to the RO for additional development, including requesting records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for compensation or a rating.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical diskectomy and fusion was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and a cervical spine disability. The veteran's disabilities are not related to her military service.

The VA denied increased evaluations for the veteran's cervical laminectomy wound and right foot surgery, maintaining their current 10 percent ratings.