Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. Service connection was not granted for cervical spine or lumbar spine arthritis, and the compensable evaluation for inguinal hernia residuals and PTSD initial evaluation were also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to a lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, lower back, and neck disabilities as they are not shown to be related to active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not sustain a cervical spine injury in service, and any current degenerative joint disease is not due to service. The left heel disability was also not incurred or aggravated by active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The RO has rated the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities at a combined rating of 50 percent, which does not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including head injury, back disability, shoulder disorders, foot injuries, eye disorder, heart disorder, lung disease, psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, asbestosis, COPD, cervical spine disorder, hemorrhoids, tinnitus, and loss of teeth are not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations and an earlier effective date for total disability based on individual unemployability was denied. The VA found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes due to his cervical spine condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that any disability warranted a rating higher than those assigned.

The veteran's GERD and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted initial noncompensable disability ratings, while the cervical spine disability and degenerative changes of the right foot remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and scheduling C&P examinations to address the veteran's hip, leg, eye, ear, and skin conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diverticulitis but denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease was manifested by a disability picture consistent with intervertebral disc syndrome that was no more than severely disabling with recurring attacks and intermittent relief for the period from April 16, 1992 to April 16, 1998.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and lack of review by VA examiners. The veteran is seeking increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and headaches.

Service connection for sinusitis was denied. The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for cervical strain prior to March 25, 2002 and denied for higher ratings thereafter.,The veteran is granted a 10% initial rating for bilateral pes planus prior to January 31, 2005 and denied for higher ratings after that date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the current evaluations of 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively, are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and providing proper VCAA notice regarding reopening of the cervical spine claim.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent for its neurological manifestations, which the Board finds do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of any claimed conditions related to his military service, and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of new evidence. The veteran's lumbar, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders are being evaluated in light of their potential service connection.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.