Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for various spine and joint disabilities were denied by the Board. The conditions are service-connected, but no presumption or secondary theory of connection was established.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a neck, right shoulder, right arm, right knee, or right hip disability that is related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence of arthritis in the relevant joints during and after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and reviewing the claims file.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied.,Service connection was not granted for headaches, TMJ, or cervical spine whiplash.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities, neck disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and residuals of face trauma. The appeal is REMANDED for these purposes.

The veteran's initial evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the right and left shoulders were denied, while his evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and arthritis of the lumbar spine are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, left index finger fracture residuals, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, frostbite residuals, gastrointestinal disorder, and otitis media.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of both hands and wrists, secondary to service-connected left knee disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral spine and cervical spine conditions, as well as GERD, were granted. The veteran now receives a 40 percent evaluation for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine since January 13, 2004, and a 30 percent evaluation for his degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine since January 13, 2004. The veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, cervical neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing light physical activities and can engage in sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, was incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cervical spine strain with left shoulder radiculopathy and myofascial pain is dismissed.,PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 28, 2004, through January 1, 2005, and from February 3, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, low back strain, and right knee arthritis are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding no new and material evidence. The RO had previously denied the claim in July 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for left ankle strain, right foot pain and fallen arches, left foot pain with tendonitis and fallen arches, cervical strain, and left back pain are denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability in any of these areas.,The veteran's claim for left hip pain, bursitis is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability.