Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the increased rating for his cervical spine condition, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, an increased evaluation for his lumbar spine disability, and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim was also denied.

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

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly consider the veteran's claims for service connection and remanded them for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The cervical spine disability is also found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran seeks service connection for cervical spondylosis, which he claims is related to injuries sustained during his active duty as a paratrooper. The VA has not obtained all relevant medical records and will need to arrange for the veteran to be examined in order to determine if his current cervical spine condition is due to an April 1963 parachute jump injury or event during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left and right knee arthritis, as well as his cervical spine DDD. The evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent for any of these conditions.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, and his cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent. The right shoulder disorder and left shoulder disorder are both rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right shoulder, cervical spine, and low back disabilities are not related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records from VA facilities in Chicago. The issues of service connection and initial evaluations for his wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and headaches will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent beginning March 12, 1999.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, and cervical polyp disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during her military service.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities of the spine, including cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining evidence related to in-service stressors and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed conditions and theories of entitlement.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining all service personnel and medical records, as well as VA audiology records. A VA orthopedic examination will be provided to determine the etiology of any thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and a VA audiologist will provide an opinion on the etiology of any hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including left knee disability, hemorrhoids, respiratory disability (manifested by shortness of breath), neck disability, and shoulder disability, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board found no evidence to support presumptive service connection based on exposure to burn pits, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, radiation, Gulf War Syndrome, or the Presumption of Exposure Act.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee injury with mild meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that any current residuals of a rib injury or neck/whiplash injury are not of service origin and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.