Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of direct service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as well as secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's claim will be reviewed again to determine if there is any additional evidence or information that needs to be obtained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various back conditions, finding that there was no prior authorization from VA for the private medical care received and that the treatment did not relate to a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and neurological impairment, is not related to his active service.

The Board has vacated its October 1998 decision and remanded the case to develop and readjudicate the neck, left hip, and ulcer claims in light of recent legislation. The back and psychiatric claims are deemed intertwined with the neck claim.

The Board has determined that the claim on appeal must be remanded to ensure compliance with due process considerations, including providing a supplemental statement of the case and considering whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 19, 2001, for a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO found that the claim was received on April 19, 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical myelopathy and residuals of a compression fracture at C3-4, with C5 corpectomy. The appeals were based on service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected ear disorder, as the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the old or new criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities from the August 19, 1999 accident are not due to his own willful misconduct and may be considered when determining entitlement to VA pension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-operative residuals from a cervical laminectomy and spondylolisthesis, finding that the evidence did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic low back strain with sciatica. The cervical spine disorder at C1-2 is also considered, but there is insufficient medical evidence linking it to service.

The veteran's appeal regarding the April 1976 rating decision was denied as there is no clear and unmistakable error in the assigned evaluations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim to reopen a previously denied neck disability. The evidence does not support a finding of new and material evidence for reopening the neck disability claim.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the combined disability rating now at 60 percent.

The Board has restored the veteran's 10 percent disability evaluation for his cervical disc disease, finding that there was no sustained improvement in his condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to two truck accidents he was involved in during service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, carpal tunnel release of both wrists, hemorrhoids, repair of anal fissure, removal of colon polyps, plantar fasciitis of the right foot, residuals of cholecystectomy, residuals of appendectomy, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spines do not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for her service-connected low back strain and service connection for a cervical spine disorder on secondary basis.