Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection, finding that his cervical spine disorder is already at its maximum allowable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are service-connected, with no presumption or new evidence involved.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will also schedule the veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, are service-connected. These conditions were first noted post-service but may be related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the appellant's appeal was timely filed, and thus the claim of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders is now before the Board.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a herniated disc at L5-S1, status post diskectomy and increased evaluations for cervical spine degenerative changes with radiculitis and right shoulder bursitis. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine and found that service connection for PTSD was not established. The veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of timely appeal. The claim for an increased evaluation for low back strain was denied as the current rating adequately compensates for the veteran's functional impairment.

The veteran's service-connected amputated left leg disability is considered to have caused his lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. His cervical spondylosis and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine is not well grounded.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for a cervical spine disorder, but it does not establish service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck and low back disabilities are service-connected due to aggravation during service, while his bilateral foot disability is also service-connected as it existed prior to service.

The Board found that the veteran's neck disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability is well grounded and VA has a duty to assist in obtaining relevant records. The case is remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, effective from May 7, 1996. The veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 30 percent, also effective from May 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and neck disability, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a concussion of the brain, are not well-grounded. The veteran does not have current disabilities related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is not well grounded, and thus denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, and for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for status post gall bladder removal with hiatal hernia and zero percent for postoperative ventral (incisional) hernia. The veteran was not granted any new ratings or connections.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of his service-connected right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracic spine disorder are not well grounded. The preponderance of evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of the currently assigned ratings.

The RO denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disk disease and granted a 10 percent evaluation for bursitis of the left hip. The service connection claim for arthritis of the cervical spine, claimed as secondary to right knee disability, was found not well grounded.