Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during his periods of active duty or active duty for training.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred or aggravated during active service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not show a pre-existing condition worsening during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Service connection is denied for bilateral knee disability and left ankle disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine traumatic arthritis.

The Board has ordered further development in the veteran's case, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine or lumbar spine disability, as well as the severity of the service-connected left femur fracture residuals. The veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine is granted, with a current rating of 40 percent. The issue of TDIU remains in appellate status.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Service Disabled Veterans' Insurance (RH) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1922(a) due to his nonservice-connected cervical disc disease and coronary artery disease, which exceeded the required 'good health' criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back and right knee disabilities are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing evidence and a need to consider recent MRI studies.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to procedural deficiencies and the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine degenerative arthritis was made worse by a fall during service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a neck injury.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and cervical spine disabilities were denied by the Board. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent, while the cervical spine disability remained at 10 percent.

The Board found that the December 1967 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The VA determined that the veteran's additional disability did not result from the April 1995 cervical spine surgery, and thus denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for myositis of the left thigh muscle and degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbosacral spine, as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain and cervical spine discogenic pain, finding that these conditions are causally linked to the veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of a VA neurological opinion regarding whether the veteran's cervical spine disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected lumbar strain and/or residuals of a postoperative left shoulder dislocation.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain service records and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claimed conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed lymphedema and spine conditions.