Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of coronary artery disease in service or thereafter, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue regarding reopening his claim for osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine was not addressed as it is a separate matter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral spine were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. The VA medical opinion concluded that there is no reasonable scientific or medical evidence supporting a connection between the service-connected knee condition and the changes in his lumbar or cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination of his left foot and neck.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and consideration of his claims.

The Board found that the appellant's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and low back disorder did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained bilateral shoulder and neck disorders as a result of transporting wounded soldiers during combat in Iraq, and service connection for these disabilities is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic cervical spine/neck disorder, chronic back injury residuals, and major depressive disorder. The evidence now shows current diagnoses related to these conditions that are at least as likely as not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is based on his significant nonservice-connected disabilities, including blindness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability, and there is no evidence of service connection for sleep apnea or sarcoidosis. The preponderance of the evidence shows that these conditions are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and back disorders are not related to service, as they were either congenital or preexisting conditions. The Veteran's current symptoms do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran was granted initial ratings of 20 percent and 30 percent for cervical spine arthritis, effective December 28, 2005 and August 1, 2008 respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology. The claims for PTSD, lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic neuropathy, and cervical joint and disc disease are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, based on medical evidence showing no relationship between the two conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and thoracic nerve damage was granted based on credible lay statements and medical evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating is granted for the symptomatic removal of cartilage in the right knee.

The appeal is remanded for a Board hearing and additional development of the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic lumbosacral strain was granted, while the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and other conditions were denied.

The Board finds that the issue on appeal is more accurately stated as entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's cervical cancer to her military service.