Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and ensuring due process of law.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for spine examinations to assess his service-connected cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he contends is related to an injury in service. The Board has decided the appeal should be remanded for additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected cervical neuritis, which is currently productive of moderate incomplete paralysis affecting both upper extremities. The issue regarding entitlement to service connection for irritable colon remains pending and will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's postoperative scar of the left shoulder and cervical spine disability. The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his increased ratings of cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.,There is no medical evidence showing an increase in severity within one year prior to August 1992, when the veteran filed a claim for increased ratings.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder and compression fracture at T12 with lumbar strain are currently rated as 20 percent disabling, effective from June 5, 1997 to September 30, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and residuals of a left eye injury, as well as his request for an increased rating for his service-connected zygomatic bone with wiring. The veteran's claim for residuals of a left eye injury was previously denied in February 1989 but reopened based on new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a back and neck disability, as well as an eye disability. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities of the lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder did not result from disease or injury during active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral shoulder disability, amnesia, and cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may arthritis be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, coronary artery disease, arthritis of the knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, and hands. The decision also denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran is seeking service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, but the claims are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, and his left shoulder disability has been granted at 30%. However, he continues to seek higher ratings for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine, low back, or bilateral heel disabilities to his military service. As a result, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine/neck disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was incurred during service and is granted service connection.