Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with no new and material evidence received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection for various disabilities, including a nasal fracture, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hepatitis C and cervical spine disorder are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has reduced the veteran's previously-assigned 20 percent evaluation for cervical strain to a current 10 percent rating, effective July 1, 1996. The current disability is currently rated as moderate in severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical strain does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board found that the reduction in the disability rating of the veteran's residuals of a cervical spine fracture from 30 to 10 percent, effective November 10, 2005, was proper. The veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for this condition prior to November 10, 2005.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his residuals of left shoulder injury and cervical spine injury are each rated at 20 percent. These ratings are granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability, cervical warts, urinary tract infections, left hand disability, and chest pain as not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for cervical disc disease and lumbosacral arthritis, finding that no new and material evidence has been received.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his neck disability, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of hepatitis, and right rib fractures. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, finding that there was no causal relationship between his service-connected left knee disorder and his cervical spine or knee disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck, right leg, and left leg disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle, left elbow, thoracic spine, and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of more than normal range of motion or impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a heat disorder, metatarsalgia of the right foot, residuals of pneumonia, or cervical spine strain/sprain that are related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, residuals of a cervical spine fracture, and obstructive sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder).

The veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of fibromyalgia and service connection for cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The chronic sacroiliac strain disability remains at a 10% rating.