Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's requests for increased ratings for his right (dominant) shoulder strain and cervical spine strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are related to his in-service jeep accident, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection for a right foot disability, a right hip disability, and a neck disability.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hearing loss, knee disabilities, cervical spine issues, blackouts and memory loss, and stomach problems. The Board has ordered additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether service connection can be established for them.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is not sufficient objective medical evidence to establish a link between his current cervical spine condition and an in-service injury. The Board also found no evidence of secondary service connection due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board found that there is no evidence of current disorders of the veteran's head, neck (or cervical spine), or legs. The veteran has current bilateral knee and ankle disorders but the competent medical evidence does not show an etiological relationship between his in-service motor vehicle accident and these current disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, cervical spine, and lumbar spine due to new evidence submitted since the August 2001 denial. The Board found that the current diagnoses are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a search of service department records. The appellant's claims for cervical spondylosis, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination. The issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disorder are on appeal.

The veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development. His new claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, including clinical depression and bipolar affective disorder, must also be addressed by the RO.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection for the veteran's claimed low back, neck, and sciatica disabilities. The claims were denied as there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disability and military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to service.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for low back strain and remanded the case to schedule a VA examination to determine the etiology of any current back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder and heart disorder, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are not supported by the evidence provided. The current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's cervical spine injury, left knee synovitis with chondromalacia, and right wrist injury.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back strain and cervical disc disease are not related to his military service, including any period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA). As a result, the claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the veteran's current spine disabilities did not manifest during his period of active service and are not related to any incident therein. The claim for service connection was denied.