Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2003

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to procedural issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's disabilities of the hands, shoulders, and cervical spine are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected arthritis of the spine, low back strain.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, including congenital blocked vertebra at C2-3. Additional evidence is needed to determine if there is a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a kidney disorder manifested by bladder symptoms with overflow and DDD, DJD, and spondylosis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded due to failure to provide a Statement of the Case.

The veteran claims secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder, which he contends was caused by his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development and consideration of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical myositis, thoracic myositis, and lumbar myositis as secondary to his service-connected residuals of right knee patellar fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for sinusitis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification. The issues on appeal are related to a compensable disability rating for cervical biopsy residuals with pap smear and associated vaginal bleeding, as well as special monthly compensation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine fusion is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder. The veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a hand injury, finding that the veteran's combat service in Italy during World War II is sufficient to establish service connection. The other issues regarding cardiovascular disease and arthritis of the cervical spine are not currently addressed due to lack of development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disorders and a psychiatric disorder. The decision also denied an increased rating for hearing loss in the left ear.

The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, with at least 40 percent of the disabilities pertaining to orthopedic issues. Medical opinions indicate he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is more likely than not related to his military service, thus granting service connection for a right ankle disability.

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

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine conditions to 20 percent each, effective from March 1997.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a back injury. The Board also found that the veteran's current DJD of the lumbar and cervical spine is related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including the provision of proper notice and assistance.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral shoulder disabilities were denied by the RO. The case is remanded to obtain updated medical records and conduct further examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and found that the veteran's current hearing loss is related to noise exposure during his military service. The other claims are pending further development.