Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for her right shoulder and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis and cervical spine disorder, as well as his requests for higher ratings for vitiligo and an earlier effective date. The decision also addressed a claim for a nervous disorder secondary to service-connected vitiligo.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur any of the claimed conditions during service or within one year post-service, and thus, they are not related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities (hypertension, muscle spasms, and headaches) do not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's right knee, lower back, and cervical spine disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disorder.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, are rated at a combined 50 percent. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation on the basis of individual unemployability due to these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of the claims, including a hearing before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and assigned a noncompensable rating. The veteran's initial compensable rating claim for hemorrhoids with history of anal fissure is also granted, but her request for an increased rating for the left shoulder disorder remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after discharge, and there is no medical opinion linking the veteran's current conditions to his military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found that the reduction from a 30% to a 20% rating for residuals of cervical fracture was proper and upheld. The claim for an increased rating for the same condition was denied as there is no evidence showing marked interference with employment or necessitating frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical strain, radiculopathy in the left lower extremity, and bilateral tinnitus do not warrant a disability rating higher than the current 10 percent ratings.

The veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine.,Service connection is denied for neuropathy of both upper extremities, neuropathy of both lower extremities, and refractive error (astigmatism) of the eyes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for scoliosis of the thoracic spine and cervical spine strain, finding that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 40 percent or 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, left shoulder impingement syndrome (supraspinatus tear), and right shoulder subacromial bursitis did not have their onset during active service or are related to any in-service disease or injury. As a result, the claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current neck disability is related to his time in service.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim.