Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The veteran's cervical spine injury may be related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The left foot and genitourinary disabilities are being reviewed for potential compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to alleged VA treatment errors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back and neck disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals, status post cervical spondylectomy and fusion is granted as his current disability is related to his in-service neck condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral degenerative joint and disc disease with mild wedge compression fracture of T12 was granted, but the appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder is still pending.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine injury during service and concluded that the veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and groin rash due to lack of current evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc and joint disease, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, and neuropathy of the right leg. The appeals are granted as the evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The veteran's in-service injury is found to be directly related to his current condition, thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine segments are not rated higher than their current levels.

The VA has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was caused or aggravated by his period of service from July 1971 to September 1971, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and cervical spine is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or post-service continuity of symptoms. The lumbar spine issue was previously addressed in another decision.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for cervical and lumbosacral strain due to additional development of evidence, including a VA examination.

The veteran's cervical strain was rated at 20 percent from September 23, 2002 to September 25, 2003. The Board found that the evidence supported a 20 percent rating for moderate limitation of cervical spine motion.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for Osgood-Schlatter disease of the left knee since January 1, 2001. The effective date is set at January 1, 2001.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, with a rating of 40 percent each.

The Board denied the veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders with rheumatoid arthritis, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are being remanded due to additional development needed, including obtaining his service personnel records and determining if he is entitled to the benefit of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1154(b).

The Board has denied reopening the veteran's previously denied service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for an increased rating for thoracic spine disability. The veteran was not provided with new and material evidence to reopen these claims.