Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, claimed as a stiff neck, was not present during service and is not etiologically related to removal of an epidermal inclusion cyst incurred during service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran is seeking to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, cervical stenosis, a low back disorder, hypertension, cirrhosis or fibrosis of the liver, heart disorder, bilateral hearing loss, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an increased rating for lumbosacral strain. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than a presumption or secondary to another condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of right shoulder, neck, or upper back conditions. The service connection claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of this decision.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his thoracic spine disability is rated at 10 percent. The left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a post-graduate degree and previous work experience as a dentist.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for the veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative joint disease, and also denied restoration of a 40 percent evaluation for his right thumb disorder. The veteran was previously granted a 40 percent evaluation in August 2002 but had it reduced to 30 percent effective May 1, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a low back disorder. The Board also found that he did not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine condition, which has been rated at 30 percent. The RO has requested additional medical evidence and examinations to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease with disc herniation of the cervical spine and lumbar spine have been aggravated by his service-connected bronchiectasis, warranting a rating of 60%.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine injury in service and concluded that the current condition is not related to service, including any incident involving shower faucets. The veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine disorder was denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and TDIU benefits is being remanded to the RO for issuance of a statement of the case.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his TMJ, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder conditions, as well as to consider an increased rating for his bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's cervical strain with degenerative joint disease was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective February 21, 2001. The RO also found no need for an earlier effective date.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her hysterectomy, cervical spine, low back, and foot conditions, have a combined disability rating of 80 percent. These disabilities prevent the veteran from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, including congenital fusion of C3-C4 and C6 and C7 (considered a Klippel-Feil syndrome), was not incurred in or aggravated during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including those claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness. The reasons were provided in the decision summary.