Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection for spinal injuries and headaches.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further actions, including obtaining additional medical records and readjudicating his claims for increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing the veteran with an opportunity to provide detailed information regarding his service stressors.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for VA compensation was denied as he did not timely elect to receive VA benefits after being notified of his entitlement.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, and his cervical spine disability warrants a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's total combined rating is currently 60%, which does not meet the threshold requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine degenerative changes are not due to any event or incident of his period of active service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record. The disability is manifested by pain and moderate overall limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is at least as likely as not related to military service and grants service connection for spondylosis of the cervical spine.

The Board found no objective indications of a chronic undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle and joint pain. The veteran's complaints were attributed to known clinical diagnoses, such as low back strain, cervical strain, patellofemoral joint disturbance, and shoulder tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran, and the RO is instructed to readjudicate the claims of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is not related to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain medical records from a chiropractor and hospital, but these requests were not made. The case is being remanded for the RO to take appropriate action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current spine disorders are not related to his active service and therefore denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cervical and lumbar spine disabilities with arthritis. The right eye disability issue remains pending.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the medical evidence did not show that his dorsal or cervical spine disorders are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cardiac disorder, bilateral knee disorder including arthritis, neck disorder (claimed as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, C5-C6), bilateral shoulder disorder, and upper back disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have residuals of a neck injury or arthritis of the cervical spine that may be attributed to his active service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, wrist, shoulder, cervical spine, low back, and knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.