Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's cervical myositis, post-traumatic, is currently manifested by mild to moderate spasms and a 30 percent evaluation. The veteran also has daily headaches rated separately at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine injury and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder and denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with postoperative residuals of disc herniation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine and for a separate 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The preponderance of evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder is rated at 50 percent, and the RO has considered whether he meets the criteria for a TDIU. The psychiatrist testified that the veteran cannot handle the type of employment he previously held due to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Board granted an increased rating of 60 percent for the service-connected residuals of a neck injury with traumatic arthritis, status post cervical fusion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, left wrist fracture, and liver injury. The veteran's current disabilities are not presumed to be related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and is now considering it on its merits. The veteran presented new evidence of a current cervical spine disability, which was not considered in previous decisions.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA medical examination without good cause.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and severity of her cervical spine disability, including any intervertebral disc syndrome or neurological findings.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher initial rating of 60 percent is warranted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, as well as evaluations for the left knee and skin disorders. The veteran's claims were not granted.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including dyshidrosis of the hands and feet, headaches, weight gain, degenerative joint disease, loss of memory, weakness and lack of energy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cellulitis of the left lower extremity with a scar, are not related to his active service or due to an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, finding that new evidence did not reopen his low back disorder claim and that arthritis of the right leg, cervical spine disorder, and psychiatric disorder were not related to service or a service-connected condition. The residuals of a right ankle sprain were rated at 20%.

The Board has determined that the cervical spine disorder was caused by the veteran's own willful misconduct during service, and therefore, does not warrant service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a head injury and cervical strain, finding that there are no current residuals of these conditions as incurred in active military service.

The Board found that there is no direct relationship between the veteran's cervical spine disorder and service, nor has his service-connected lumbar disability caused or aggravated it. The claim for service connection was denied.