Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed neck, cervical spine, and low back disability including arthritis, as well as his right hand and wrist injury residuals, and arm and leg weakness, are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied an increased disability evaluation for the veteran's low back injury and service connection for a neck disability, finding that the cervical spine disorder is not etiologically related to his service-connected low back disorder or to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and plantar fasciitis disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on residuals of a compression fracture at T-7 and cervical disc disease, status-post C-6 and C-7 fusion with nerve root compression were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical strain does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for moderate limitation of motion or other significant impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing service medical records and outstanding VA outpatient medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is in excess of the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is due to an injury sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disorder is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his postoperative cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for VCAA compliance and a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher ratings for depression and cervical spine arthritis, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disorder, scoliosis with left leg length discrepancy, and fibrocystic breast disease.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and right leg disabilities, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected right foot disability. The claim for service connection for neck disability remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, manifested by pain and limited motion, warrants a 30 percent evaluation under the rating criteria for disabilities of the spine.

The Board denied compensation for residuals of injury to the left hip, left ankle, and neck due to VA treatment in February 1992, finding no additional disability resulting from the incident.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and granted an increased rating for asthma. The issues regarding foot and skin disorders are also addressed.

The veteran's bilateral arm and leg disabilities are considered part of her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disorders, respectively.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disorder to his military service, including a 1968 neck injury. The claim was denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work prior to March 29, 1996. The Board found that the evidence did not reflect such disability prior to this date.