Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current lumbar or cervical spine disability that is causally related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at a private hospital from November 20, 2003 to November 21, 2003 is granted due to the lack of suitable VA facilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and scheduling of a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cystitis with urinary tract infections and cervical polyp are attributable to service, while yeast infections were not incurred or aggravated in active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable prior to November 5, 1997.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical strain have been denied increased evaluations.,Service connection for tinnitus has not been established, and service connection for a right knee disability was not granted.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and DJD of the left knee and patella have been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The cervical spine claim is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has jurisdiction over the April 2005 rating decision denying service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities. The veteran's appeal on timeliness of his substantive appeal is granted, and the claim is remanded to determine whether service connection can be established.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder was not present during service and is not related to his service-connected back disability. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for tinnitus and DJD of the left knee and patella have been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The cervical spine claim is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board finds that the veteran does not meet the criteria for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a fall during VA inpatient medical treatment, as his current conditions are more likely related to chronic degenerative changes rather than an acute injury.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current diagnoses for hemorrhoids, a neck disorder, or vision problems. Service connection is denied for these conditions as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are not related to his active service, including a motor vehicle accident while on active duty in France. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hand and hypertension, finding that these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected back disability. The claim to reopen the neck disability was denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the claimed disabilities, including bilateral ankle and elbow disabilities. The veteran's complaints of pain have not been supported by clinical findings or diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the veteran's complaints of neck pain in service and subsequent continuous symptoms constitute evidence of a chronic disability incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed lumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for headaches, cervical sprain and strain, and lumbar sprain and strain.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is as likely as not related to an in-service injury.