Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disability to his service, and denied his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral levator scapulae syndrome and developmental cervico-thoracic scoliosis, with degenerative spurring of the cervical spine, as secondary to a service-connected quadriceps muscle scar of the left leg.

The VA determined that the veteran's current cervical spine problems are not due to the May 1995 VA treatment, finding no additional disability resulting from such treatment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for cervical spine disability and determined that it is related to his military service. The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain is also rated at 40 percent.

The Board finds that the appellant's current lumbosacral spine, hip, and cervical spine disorders are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to an injury during service.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including spondylosis with multilevel osteoarthritis and discogenic disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board found insufficient evidence to support a claim of service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently demonstrated back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, is likely due to injury sustained during service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder was granted, and he received an effective date of April 2, 1992.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was established from August 27, 1992. The veteran also received TDIU benefits starting May 27, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and may not be presumed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression). The appeal regarding post-traumatic stress disorder is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have cervical disc disease or residuals of a left leg and ankle fracture that are related to his service, and therefore, denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck disability was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty service and denied his claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The VA denied a higher evaluation for the veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it primarily manifests as pain and limited motion without any incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the shoulders and cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for schizophrenia was also denied as new and material evidence had not been received.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disorder and herniated disc to his military service, including incidents of head impacts while in service. The claim for increased rating for tinnitus was not addressed as it pertained only to one issue on appeal.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate development of the medical records and examination reports.