Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for heart condition, systemic nerve damage, stenosis of the lumbar canal with associated right sided sciatica and loss of use of legs with numbness, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, residuals of chronic prostatitis with retractable testicles, painful erection/ejaculation, and depression.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the spine have been rated as noncompensable (0%) and denied for increased ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hands, as well as arthritis of the hands with ulnar neuropathy, both secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions directly to the service-connected condition.

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

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her lumbar spine sprain and cervical spine strain have been denied. The lumbar spine condition remains at a 40% evaluation, while the cervical spine condition was granted to a 30% evaluation from June 29, 1993 through November 12, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by a scar, dorsum laceration of the nose. The claim for service connection for bone spurs causing chronic cervical myelopathy and cord atrophy with lower extremity spasticity is denied as there is no evidence linking this condition to military service.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions is February 19, 1963.

The veteran's cervical spine and GERD disabilities are currently rated, but the case is remanded for further explanation regarding his left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not have PTSD due to combat stressors and could not verify other claimed stressors. The cervical spine, left knee, left foot, and bilateral shoulder disabilities were not shown to be related to service. Stomach ulcers and a skin rash were also not linked to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was permanently aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and the need for additional notice regarding what constitutes new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,There is no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's tinnitus to his military service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, as well as migraine headache and a left knee disability (arthritis). The VA found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate rationale in the previous decision and need for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions associated with his service and therefore denied all claims for service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support the veteran's claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with VCAA notice.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, neck and shoulder disorders, thoracic spine disorder, bowel incontinence, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction as secondary to the veteran's service-connected residuals of a low back injury.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected Reiter's syndrome does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to lack of definite impairment or incapacitating exacerbations.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for service-connected left knee arthritis and instability from June 25, 2007 to August 1, 2008 are granted. The rating of 30 percent is effective June 25, 2007.