Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine injury preexisted service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran is seeking service connection for cervical disc disease with myelopathy C4-5, C5-6, C6-7. The Board has determined that the current VA examination did not address this condition and that further examination may be necessary to determine its etiology.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such an increase.

The veteran's appeal is denied as his service connection claim for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities was not granted, and the initial compensable rating for residual scars of the thoracic rib region and burn scars on the back was also denied.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the other service-connected conditions are not compensably disabling.

The veteran was granted service connection for mixed headaches with myofacial and migrainous components and degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine effective April 7, 2003.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities based on new evidence submitted since the August 1993 rating decision. The new evidence supports a reasonable possibility that these conditions are related to military service.

The VA treatment did not result in a new disability, and any existing disability was not caused by the carelessness or negligence of the VA.

The veteran's DJD of the cervical spine was rated at 30 percent prior to September 26, 2003 and increased to 30 percent effective from September 26, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and fibromyalgia, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right arm/hand tremors, are related to service or service-connected conditions. The left leg disability is not separately service connected.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hidradenitis suppurative and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and bilateral hips. The TDIU claim was granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence of arthritis within one year of the veteran's service, and thus denied her claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and a need for a VA examination.

The veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability and have been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease, cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of both old and new spine regulations.

The Board found that the veteran's thoracic spine disability was not incurred in service, but his cervical spine disability may be reopened based on new evidence. The claim for service connection remains denied.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.