Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psoriasis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and both knees. The new evidence submitted since the last denial was not considered material.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back and neck disabilities to his military service. The veteran will be provided with additional treatment records and an opportunity for a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, with post-operative C4-5 laminectomy, warrants a 40 percent evaluation prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and other evidence. The veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, along with his ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is incurred in service, while his right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle disorders. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the increased ratings of cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.,There is no medical evidence showing an increase in severity within one year prior to August 17, 1992.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as there was no verified stressor or supporting clinical evidence. The veteran's claims of other conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it did not result in moderate limitation of motion, intervertebral disc syndrome, forward flexion of the cervical spine not greater than 30 degrees, combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The veteran's claims for service connection were generally granted, with some conditions being attributed to undiagnosed illnesses.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to June 28, 2003 for a 20 percent rating for cervical strain is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis was not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and osteoporosis, all secondary to her service-connected pes planus. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of SSA benefits and a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the veteran's claimed musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for post traumatic peripheral neuropathy of the right cervical area, C3-C4.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement bursitis and an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from April 18, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar strain, and cervical strain. The decision also denied his request for an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected disabilities of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and left hip. The veteran argued that he filed a claim shortly after leaving military service in June 1990 but was not given credit for this filing due to administrative regularity.