Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial rating increase in excess of the assigned percentages.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical strain was denied as unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine was not shown.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records related to the veteran's back and neck disabilities, as well as vocational rehabilitation records. The effective date of a 100 percent schedular rating for major depression is also under review.

The Board denied service connection and increased ratings for the veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, low back, and cervical spine disabilities. The claims were found not well-grounded under then-prevailing legal authority.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination to determine the etiology of any current neck and low back disabilities. The veteran's claim for service connection for depression will also be addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a direct relationship between these disabilities and the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and headaches, finding that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, fatigue, left ankle disorder, and cervical spine disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including providing VCAA notice as required.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a skull injury and cervical spine injury, finding no objective evidence of such injuries in service or current residuals.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical strain and uterine fibroids do not warrant an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration records related to the veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and entitlement to TDIU. The claim for service connection was previously denied in May 1979, but new evidence received since then does not meet the criteria for reopening the claim. For TDIU, the veteran is currently employed as an owner-operator of a sandwich franchise, which he started after his unemployment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing an addendum from a VA physician regarding the relationship between the veteran's cervical spine disability and his service-connected knee disabilities. The veteran also needs to provide any private medical records related to his fall in November 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, prostate cancer, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, right knee and leg disorders, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The reasons are that there is no evidence of these conditions during service or a link to service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.