Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, finding no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that his rheumatoid arthritis is inactive and not productive of any compensable disability. The other issues were also denied as there was no evidence of active rheumatoid arthritis or significant impairment in joints.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar strain were granted, but with specific rating periods.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any currently diagnosed disabilities of the right or left shoulder, and her claims for service connection are denied. The Board also found no evidence to support a finding that she experienced in-service injuries leading to diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, GERD, or degenerative joint disease of the cervical or lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for major depressive disorder, DJD and HNP of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine as secondary to service-connected residuals of fracture of the base of the fifth toe, right foot metatarsal.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board found no objective indications of chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a musculoskeletal disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to his service-connected left shoulder injury. The RO also denied his increased rating claim and TDIU application.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, compression fracture C5 with anterior bridging C4-5. The evidence submitted since the last final denial shows that there is new and material evidence to support this claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss of use of his lower extremities, including his feet. The Board has granted entitlement to financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spondylosis is related to service, and his bilateral shoulder disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including residuals of cold injury, scars to the hands (claimed in part as due to burns), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, fibromyalgia, and strabismus. The combined schedular evaluation was also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a cervical spine disability, finding that new and material evidence was not presented.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disability in service or within one year post-service, and denied service connection for the veteran's current degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the cervical spine. The claim was also denied for temporary total evaluation under the provisions of 38 CFR § 4.30 following surgery.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service.,Degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is not related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to address the etiology of the veteran's current cervical spine disorder. The case will be remanded for further development and consideration.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support an earlier date of entitlement to service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the veteran's spinal disabilities and arthritis/fibromyalgia. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar strain and cervical strain are pending, as is the issue regarding service connection for arthritis/fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's disabilities and assigned initial ratings. The veteran is seeking higher initial ratings, but the evidence does not support such increases.