Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, right hip disability, cervical spine disability, abnormal weight loss, muscle pain, and cardiac disability, have been denied as secondary to other service-connected conditions. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or presumptive service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including considering a medical opinion and additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee, cervical spine, rib, head, and chin disorders are not service-connected due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed in-service personal assault stressor is not supported by credible evidence, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. The other issues were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records and reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability or bilateral foot disability, and therefore denied these claims. The remaining issues of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and skin disabilities are also denied.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a left elbow condition. Additional VA examinations are required to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for upper thoracic muscle strain and cervical muscle strain, each assigned a noncompensable evaluation, effective August 24, 2006. The Veteran's claims were subsequently upgraded to a compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and incomplete medical evidence. The Veteran's mental health condition and spine disabilities are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left knee disabilities are found to be related to her service, with the most recent VA examination supporting this finding. The right hip, left arm, and jaw and facial disability claims remain pending.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects a limitation in range of motion. The right upper extremity neurological symptoms are considered secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain and increased evaluations for his low back and right fibula disabilities. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions, and there is no indication that they are related to active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's attempts to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for heart, cervical spine, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus and associated small fiber neuropathy, as well as his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, were found to be aggravated by service-connected right ankle disability. The temporary total rating for convalescence was extended from June 1, 2004, through August 31, 2004.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the conditions claimed.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The evidence now supports a finding that these conditions may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right hand condition, and psychiatric disorder. The claim for a compensable evaluation for laceration scars of the left hand was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radicular pain, left and right lower extremities, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities, and fibromyalgia. The TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.