Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and the evidence does not establish that his hypertension or lumbar spine disorders are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his thoracic and cervical spine disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) for the period from March 17, 1997 to April 30, 1998 due to lack of additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent and because he was not substantially confined as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder and low back disabilities due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and thoracic spine was granted with initial ratings of noncompensable prior to specific dates, followed by increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chest disorder was denied as there was no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service and no current diagnosis of a chest disorder. The remaining claims were not addressed due to the pending nature of other issues.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal due to a lack of timely filed substantive appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board found no credible evidence of a neck injury during service and concluded that the veteran's current cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further review, including adjudication of his claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The case will then be returned to the Board if necessary.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's current neurological conditions and his in-service facial injury. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine degenerative changes are also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a cervical strain and an upper back injury are granted, as there is sufficient evidence to support these conditions were incurred during his military service.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spondylosis were found to be incurred in service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions. However, the bilateral leg disability was not found to be related to service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability characterized as myositis, trapezius muscle strain, and subluxation at C5. The Board has ordered additional development to clarify the date of any automobile accidents and obtain treatment records related thereto.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective April 1, 1992.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including whether they are related to service or pre-existing post-polio syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal concerning his service connection claims for residuals of strain to the left rhomboid muscles and cervical spine disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. The issues are remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome and severe limitation of the lumbar spine with demonstrable deformity of a vertebral body resulting from a fractured vertebra, is rated at 60 percent. His cervical spine disability, characterized by severe limitation of motion, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral degenerative diseases are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.