Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but the veteran's claim of Hepatitis C remains pending.

The veteran's service records do not show any chronic conditions related to the claimed disabilities. The Board denied all claims of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in May 1963. The evidence does not show any injury or aggravation of an existing condition during service.

The veteran's low back strain is rated at 20 percent prior to August 23, 2005 and at 40 percent from that date forward. His neck strain remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing records from Palaos Hospital and requests that these be obtained before further adjudication.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for additional development due to the complexity of the issues and need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are related to his military service, while his degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine are not. The veteran is granted service connection for the cervical spine issues but denied for the lumbar spine issues.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities involving left great toe contusion residuals, cervical spine strain, or shoulder pain. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied for all issues, with the exception of his request to withdraw an appeal regarding right ulnar neuropathy.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including shrapnel wounds to the left hip, PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and head and back injuries. The case has been remanded due to a need for additional hearing before a Board member.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board finds no new evidence that would support reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an initial compensable evaluation for cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease. The veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his cervical spine condition, but not above that level.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spondylosis and chronic low back strain do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the lower extremities or financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance due to his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, hearing loss of the left ear, major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse in remission, bilateral tarsometatarsal degenerative arthrosis, left acromioclavicular joint degenerative changes (osteoarthritis), status post non-displaced tibial plateau fracture of the left knee, and arthritic changes of the cervical spine.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a service-connected burial allowance, finding that the veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, cervical spine, low back, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a service-connected disability. However, the evidence does not support a finding of current diagnoses or a link between these conditions and active service or a service-connected condition.