Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected facial scars and cervical spine disc narrowing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine arthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher rating and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new VA treatment records. The case will be returned to the RO for initial consideration.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury to the cervical spine and that any current disability is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of L4-5 and denied secondary service connection for dorsal spine and cervical spine disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability related to the veteran's military service and denied his claim. The major depressive disorder was also not linked to service, with the examiner indicating it may be due to other life stressors.

The veteran's claim for higher evaluations for his cervical spine disability was denied. For the period prior to March 22, 2004, he was not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. For the period commencing March 22, 2004, he was also not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which approximates the severity of his condition.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the provision of additional medical records.

The Board found that the veteran's current psychiatric disorder did not originate in service and denied his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative condition of the cervical spine at C5-C6 and C6-7 with pain and headaches due to cerebral concussion, lumbar spinal stenosis, and residuals of bilateral cataract surgery. Service connection was denied for arthritis of the left hand and allergy condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the veteran's current neck and back disorders are related to his service-connected bronchiectasis. The RO is instructed to arrange for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current neck/cervical spine and low back disorders, including whether they are causally related to the veteran's period of service or if they were aggravated by his service-connected bronchiectasis.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted, with the exception of a gynecological disorder.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities were granted by the RO in March 2003 with effective dates of February 27, 1998, March 30, 2000, and January 12, 2000 respectively.,The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are denied as they predate the effective dates granted by the RO.

The veteran's initial evaluations for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and posttraumatic headaches were both granted, with the latter being rated at a compensable level of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for right rotator cuff tear and cervical spine disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate Guillain-Barré syndrome due to a swine flu vaccination, and his acquired psychiatric disorder, syphilis, right foot disability, and bilateral knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his medical records and to determine the appropriate ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.