Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as denied service connection for a heart murmur.,There is no evidence of record that supports granting any of these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle, lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine disorders. The claim for right knee disorder is pending as it may be related to a pre-existing condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The VA examinations will be scheduled to address his hypertension, right knee disability, and bilateral foot disorder.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and Social Security Administration records.

The veteran seeks service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including fibromyalgia. The Board has ordered additional development to address the relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral arm, hand, right leg, right shoulder, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability characterized as sprain/strain syndrome and degenerative joint disease, finding that there was no in-service injury or chronic condition related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and seeking a new VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and hypertension. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a video conference hearing due to the retirement of his previous representative.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to reopening service connection claims and determining whether a cervical spine disorder is service-connected. Additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records, must be obtained, and the veteran should be provided with proper notice under 38 U.S.C.A. § 5103(a) and 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(b).

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical osteoarthritis was not incurred or aggravated during his military service and denied his claim.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected disabilities has been granted. She is now rated at 40 percent for chronic lumbosacral fibromyositis with left L4-S1 radiculopathy and degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the decision. For cervical fibromyositis with right C6 radiculopathy, she receives a 30 percent rating prior to May 19, 2003, and a 40 percent rating since that date.

The veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine and right hip disabilities were denied, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis, is due to an in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability but granted an increased evaluation of 10% for the residuals of a right thumb fracture.

The veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10% prior to April 12, 2004 and increased to 20% thereafter. His thoracolumbar strain was also initially rated at 10%, which was later increased to 40%. The claims for higher ratings remain pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right leg, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for hypertension, depression, and arthritis of the left shoulder. Other claims remain pending.