Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2007

The veteran's minor children are receiving additional VA compensation for his service-connected disabilities. The veteran is not reasonably discharging his responsibility to support his minor children, and a general apportionment of the veteran's VA disability compensation in the amount of the additional disability compensation he receives for his minor children from November 29, 2002 is granted.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for lumbosacral strain due to a compression fracture at D12-L1, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar disabilities are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary connection involved.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability with right arm atrophy and right knee disability do not meet the criteria for service connection or a higher evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected herniated disc of the cervical spine is currently rated as zero percent disabling. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct a VA examination to determine if her disability should be rated higher.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left shoulder arthritis or DJD of the cervical spine, and obesity, allergic rhinitis, or hemorrhoids. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to new and material evidence submitted, but it remains denied as there is no clear indication that the current neck disability was caused by or aggravated by hidradenitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional information and documents, specifically the veteran's workers' compensation file from his post-service injury. The issues of service connection for neck and upper back disabilities remain pending.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disorder during service or within one year after discharge, and concluded that the current cervical spine disorder is not related to service. The veteran's claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, an upper back disability, and a right hand disability. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen these claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including additional VA examinations and an opinion on whether the veteran's service-connected low back disability aggravated his nonservice-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical strain with muscle spasms warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from June 2000.

The Board has determined that the claims for impotency, hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, and skin rash should be remanded due to procedural defects in their adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local RO.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical stenosis and arthritis, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury with degenerative disc disease. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any incident therein.