Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied increased ratings for Grave's disease, DDD and osteoporosis of the lumbar spine. The effective date for the 10 percent disability rating for recurrent right ankle sprains was not granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine due to or aggravated by military service, nor may service connection for a chronic disorder be presumed.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, left arm, and left hand disabilities. The claim for hepatitis C was not addressed as it is unclear if it was related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, finding no evidence of a nexus between his current DDD and his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral blurry vision with a right eye cataract, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hip disability were denied. The Board found that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cervical spine disorder. The claim for new and material evidence regarding his low back disorder was reopened but ultimately denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were denied as his conditions did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has ordered additional development of the veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and verifying his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training. The veteran is also requested to provide clarification regarding what private medical records he desires VA to obtain or consider.

The veteran's cervical spine disability with radiculopathy, status-post fusion and diskectomy warrants a rating of 30 percent effective from May 18, 2007.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbosacral spine strain with degenerative changes, tension headaches, right upper and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder), right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability. The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing right knee disability was not aggravated by service.

The Board is requesting additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, including reviewing MRI studies from Nellis Air Force Base. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical and low back disorders are likely due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder and cervical spine disorders. The appeals were based on secondary service connection due to pre-existing conditions.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of certain claims, including verifying an in-service injury and determining who was attempting to steal the ammunition truck.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis with bilateral S1 radiculopathy, and denied claims for cervical spine disorder and shoulder disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and service connection for a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The RO found no evidence of an earlier claim or medical evaluation prior to December 10, 2003.