Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating from 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, hips, knees, and ankles due to a lack of evidence showing limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current hypertension and spine disorders.

The Board found that the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and 20 percent for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the appealed July 1996 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic cervical disorder and increased the ratings for residuals of gunshot wounds to the right arm, including damage to muscle groups and ankylosis. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in this decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining his personnel records and SSA disability records. He must also be provided with proper VCAA notice regarding the rating and effective date aspects of his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, as well as PTSD. The evidence received since the May 1999 rating decision is not considered new and material to reopen these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and special monthly pension was denied. The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under current criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear and degenerative changes, left hip ischial tendinitis, and cervical spine degenerative changes. The veteran's claims are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis with a C5-6 herniation, thoracic spine disorder, and left ankle condition were not incurred in service. The claim for an increased rating for chronic low back pain was granted but at a 40% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Augusta, Georgia and providing a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cysts, arthritis of the cervical spine, polyarthritis of hands, knees, elbows, and feet (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and hepatitis C have been denied. The veteran is also not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck scoliosis and torticollis were permanently aggravated by service, resulting in arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an enlarged prostate, cervical spine disorder, and scoliosis and spina bifida occulta due to lack of evidence of a current chronic disability.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities to his active service, including any inservice injuries. The claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records related to his disability claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hand disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral eye disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and tinnitus were denied. The right shoulder disability claim was not warranted for an initial compensable evaluation, and the hemorrhoids claim was also denied.