Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from June 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cervical spine disorder or lower back disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent each, effective from October 1, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. The Board also found no direct link between the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spines and his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the veteran's service-connected left foot and cervical spine disabilities. The RO must arrange for a VA examination of the veteran, obtain all outstanding medical records, and provide the veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and cervical spine spondylosis have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.

The veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine and cervical spine. The Board has ordered a new examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it did not begin during or as a result of his military service and was not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of his spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, jaw and mandible disabilities, and a deviated septum. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a cervical disorder related to military service or secondary to lumbosacral and right ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed neck/cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and diabetes mellitus. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for each of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for both a low back disability and a cervical spine disability, finding no current disabilities or medical nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2002 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of service connection for a neck disability may not be reopened.

The Board has requested additional information from the appellant regarding his cervical and lumbosacral strain conditions, which he claims are related to his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis. The case is being remanded for further development of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain is being reviewed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left arm disability that he claims originates in his cervical spine. He also seeks an increased rating for PTSD. The case has been remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation of these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to her service-connected right knee and back disabilities, granting service connection for this condition.

The VA has determined that your degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the cervical spine does not warrant a higher initial evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.