Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, voiding dysfunction, gouty and degenerative arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder, and a low back disorder. The decision also affirmed the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service, including exposure to extreme cold temperatures. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his thoracic spine disorder, service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder, and TDIU due to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disability, effective October 1992. The disability is rated as degenerative disc disease with numbness of the right upper extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic fibromyalgia, and chronic lip laceration residuals.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the service connection claim for cervical spine disorder due to pending development of evidence. The veteran's headaches and scar over his right eye are being remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee, both hands, wrists, and cervical and lumbar spine is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by a loss of sense of smell, defective hearing, or residuals of a back injury involving the thoracic and cervical spine. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, depression, chest pains, memory loss, dizziness, weakness in the arms, and weakness in the legs, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 20% evaluation effective September 23, 2002. The left heel spurs and GERD with IBS were both granted initial evaluations.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. He was granted a compensable evaluation for malaria and TDIU.

The veteran's claim of a higher disability rating for his service-connected cervical spine disorder was denied due to failure to report for required VA examinations without good cause. The case is being remanded for the veteran to be afforded another opportunity to appear for necessary VA medical examinations.

The veteran seeks compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability due to cervical spine surgery provided by VA in January 1998. The case is remanded for further review and medical opinions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected cervical sprain is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the RO did not attempt to obtain the veteran's service personnel records, and thus remands for further development including an official request for these records. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional evidence is obtained.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and cardiovascular disease were not incurred in service, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder or arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hands in service. The veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for post-traumatic changes of the cervical and lumbosacral spine, which he claims were caused by an inservice explosion. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain medical records and a VA examination.