Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the case is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability caused or aggravated his cervical spine disorder. The RO must request an opinion from the same VA examiner who conducted the February 2006 examination, and if necessary, a new comprehensive examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical radiculopathy, shoulder and arm disability, depression, COPD, and TDIU. The new evidence submitted did not support reopening of the claim for cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability characterized as traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The veteran seeks service connection for secondary disabilities of his low back, neck, and arms due to his service-connected knee disabilities. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining VA outpatient records and scheduling a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and disorders of the shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands were not incurred or aggravated by service. The veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection based on arthritis or other specified diseases.

The Board found that there is not enough evidence to support the claim that the veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disorder caused his degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, thus denying the secondary service connection claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and other physical conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that she is entitled to a TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected left radius and ulna fractures have resulted in ankylosis of the elbow joint, preventing pronation and supination. The RO has granted a 50 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The veteran's current cervical spine disability is linked to his active duty service, but there is no direct evidence linking it to a service-connected condition.

The VA granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's radiculopathy of the cervical spine, C8, effective July 14, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis of the cervical vertebrae from C-3 to C-5 and an increased rating for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter associated with hypertensive heart disease, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and left elbow conditions.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain was rated at 20% prior to August 27, 2007, and at 10% from that date. The thoracic spine disorder is not service-connected, nor is the cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for upper and lower extremity disabilities, finding no relationship between these conditions and his military service or any already service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, finding that his pre-existing cervical disability did not worsen during service and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected low back disorder.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disease present during service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between current back disorders and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of neck disability and peripheral neuropathy. The veteran is now entitled to these benefits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.