Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's increased rating claim for residuals of a fracture of the right clavicle with subluxation and deformity of the sternoclavicular joint, as well as his initial disability ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied service connection for essential hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the hands and cervical spine, finding that there was no causal link to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disorder in service or within one year after separation, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for further development due to procedural deficiencies and need for additional medical opinions.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine injury that he claims is secondary to his service-connected movement disorder. The case has been remanded due to the need for further development and hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lower right posterior chest disability with chronic respiratory infections and cervical spine disability, including headaches and arm numbness, are service-connected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as service connection for greater trochanteric bursitis of the left hip, were granted. The veteran was assigned a noncompensable rating for his hips.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and bilateral inguinal hernias, and found that the veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The other claims were denied as not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional evidence regarding the veteran's neck and low back disabilities. The AMC is instructed to obtain records from health care providers identified by the veteran, as well as Social Security Administration disability determination records.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck disability, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis, is not related to injuries sustained in service during the 1960s.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing to address his claims of service connection for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities and an increased rating for skin condition of the hands.

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease for the periods February 28, 1995 to August 23, 1996 and August 24, 1996 to January 14, 2002.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (claimed as neck pain). The case is remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his cervical spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for an evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) was granted effective September 30, 1999. The Board found no basis to award TDIU prior to this date.

The veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of Meniere's syndrome, but denied it on the merits. The cervical spine disability issue is not addressed as it is unclear whether it was part of the original appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to determine if separate disability ratings are warranted for the service-connected headaches and cervical spine limitation of motion.