Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and thoracic disorders, including nerve damage, are not related to service. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's claimed cervical and thoracic disorders, including nerve damage.

The Board denied service connection for cervical cancer and a compensable rating for a bilateral foot disability, finding that the veteran's conditions were not related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hand disorder, left shoulder impingement, skin rash, diabetes mellitus, sarcoma, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, major depression, schizophrenia, agoraphobia, degenerative changes in the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the low back, right arm pain (major), left arm pain, and left shoulder pain. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for microhematuria and cervical cancer, as well as her attempts to reopen claims for residuals of injuries to her left foot, left ankle, right knee, low back, and cervicitis. The evidence did not establish a current disability or link these conditions to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative changes of the cervical spine were not incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen her previous denial in May 1995.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The case will be reviewed again after these issues are addressed.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. He also receives a separate 10 percent rating for his headaches secondary to his Arnold-Chiari malformation.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent due to its current functional impairment and lack of severe intervertebral disc syndrome or ankylosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected residuals of a fracture of C1, finding that the evidence did not support an evaluation higher than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 16, 2001 for increased evaluations and service connection. The appeals were not granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 50 percent since September 26, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current neck disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a neck injury.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for thoracic/lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spondylosis with radicular symptoms is due to an injury sustained during his period of active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a right shoulder disability or cervical spine disorder incurred during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and hearing loss, and granted service connection for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The claim for a compensable rating for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on and after May 1, 2003 was also denied.