Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's skin rash and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine were found to be related to his service, with no other basis for connection provided. The skin rash was rated as noncompensable, while the cervical spine condition was granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hallux abductor valgus with calcaneal spurs, inflammatory arthritis, gout, degenerative joint disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines, chronic lymphedema of both lower extremities, chronic strain of the left foot associated with hallux abductor valgus, foot strain of the right foot associated with hallux abductor valgus, and residuals of chronic cervical strain, result in unemployability. The case is being remanded for further consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has ordered additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for a new examination of the boxer fracture to the left hand. The claims are being remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between her current disabilities and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral arm disability are related to service, granting the requested benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis, scoliosis, cervical dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis (claimed as a back condition), chronic cystic mastitis to include fibroma of the right breast, and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical disc disease, arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild disc disease and spondylolysis, right leg sciatica, and residuals of a postoperative scar on the bridge of the nose. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, with a separate rating assigned for demonstrable deformity of the lumbar vertebral column.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities do not warrant a higher initial rating based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's initial higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted, with a current disability rating of 20 percent effective February 29, 2008. The issue of service connection for allergies remains pending.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding no current diagnosed disability related to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the likely etiology of these conditions, as well as their relationship to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and increased rating for cervical spine disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's cervical stenosis and left arm numbness are being remanded for additional development as the current VA examinations did not address direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD, no evidence of noise exposure related to service for hearing loss or tinnitus, and insufficient medical evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical disability in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine. The Board finds that additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records, is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to June 4, 2002 and denied an earlier effective date for TDIU.