Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's Scheuermann's disease existed prior to service and was not shown to have worsened during service. The current back disorders, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, were not determined to be related to service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability, including residuals of a discectomy of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative changes, may be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection is granted for this condition.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a thoracic spine disability, which he claims is related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The Board has ordered additional development of the medical evidence and will consider both direct and secondary service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, as well as PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The veteran's claim for compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to incomplete records and procedural issues.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the service-connected cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, effective as of September 26, 2003.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the service connection claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, left hand neurological disability, and left arm soft tissue sarcoma due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for blastomycosis was also denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or after service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and examination reports.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of a July 1997 injury during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and therefore denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board is unable to determine the outcome of some claims due to insufficient evidence, but has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted for others. The veteran's service connection claims are pending.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the veteran's conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine spondylosis, and thoracic spine scoliosis, as well as evaluations in excess of 10 percent for residuals of cold exposure of the right and left feet. The veteran's conditions were not shown to be related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the service-connected bilateral flat foot condition, effective from August 23, 2001. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his claims, including a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have cervical spine or lumbar spine disabilities related to his active service and thus denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of a vehicle accident and physical examinations from General Dynamics Electrical. The veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his current cervical spine disorder and headaches are related to his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities. The claim of service connection for a right wrist injury was also denied.