Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board found that the veteran's neck disorder, including degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination or opinion.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to cause his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and inner ear dysfunction. The only condition found was benign prostate hypertrophy, which was not rated as compensable.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence on whether the veteran's current foot condition and back pain are related to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for headaches associated with degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and denied a compensable rating for venereal warts.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine herniation, C4-C6, clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active service but did not undergo no aggravation in active service. Therefore, the disability was incurred in active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and unclear evidence regarding current residuals of in-service injuries. The veteran's claim for service connection is being reviewed with additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate review of his case and failure to consider relevant evidence. The veteran needs further examination for both cervical spine disability and right shoulder fracture with resection of distal clavicle.

The Board found that the veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his service, and denied service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no evidence of bilateral hand numbness being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and neuropathy is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and initial disability ratings for degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine at C5-6, migraine headaches, and residuals of a right thigh injury. The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated 20 percent disabling under DC 5290.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability for the left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome or tuberculosis, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated, and the RO has denied his claims for increased ratings. The effective dates of service connection are also denied.

New and material evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for DJD of the right shoulder and cervical spine. However, service connection remains denied as there is no medical relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for DJD of the right shoulder is not granted due to lack of a medical relationship with service. Service connection for DJD of the cervical spine secondary to the right shoulder is also denied.,The veteran's request to restore his previous 20 percent rating for left scapula fracture with DJD of the left shoulder was granted, effective August 1, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hearing loss disability does not warrant a compensable rating, and his neck and left wrist disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral disc diseases have been remanded due to the need for a more current VA examination, as well as for obtaining SSA records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, neck disorder, and right ear hearing loss. However, these claims were denied on the merits.