Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The VA determined that the veteran did not suffer additional disability of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine during a seizure on December 19, 1985. As such, VA compensation for these conditions under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is not warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his cervical spine injury and tension-vascular headaches, as well as service connection for right hip bursitis and tinnitus. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including presbyopia, arthritis in hands and feet, tinea versicolor, thoracic spine condition, cervical spine condition, and tinnitus. The claim for an increased evaluation for sinusitis was also denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and is now considering whether it should be granted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service or within one year after separation from active duty. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a relationship between any inservice incidents and the development of the current condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and arranging for a medical opinion to determine if the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a right foot disability, as well as the claim for PTSD. The RO is instructed to obtain medical records, arrange for VA examinations, and complete further development before readjudicating these claims.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's low back strain, service connection for his left shoulder disorder and residuals of cervical spine injury have been established.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have L4-L5 spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine that is related to his military service.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition did not warrant a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion and no signs of severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but did not address or decide the service connection claim for cervical spine disability. The veteran's current rating for her lumbar spine condition remains at 40 percent.

The veteran's cervical, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders are being remanded for further development as the VA examination has not addressed whether any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, traumatic arthritis, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were found to be not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of complete medical records from Dr. Canabal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his detached retina, chronic back pain with disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1, and cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, and flat feet are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine condition did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more recent VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine fusion and right knee conditions.