Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for ankylosis and arthritis, secondary to a gunshot wound to the right second toe; a left foot condition; and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection for low back, cervical spine, and PTSD were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to his service. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee was also denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and low back disorder with sciatica were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and is not proximately due to, or the result of, any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for various disorders of the veteran's legs, hips, spine, and knee as there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus disability, residuals of left knee injury, residuals of left thumb injury, residuals of cervical sprain, and residuals of pseudofolliculitis barbae were not reopened as new and material evidence was not received.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the claims.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for cervical disc disease, resolving reasonable doubt in the veteran's favor.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and cervical/lumbosacral strain do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected residuals of a left knee injury with traumatic arthritis was denied, but new and material evidence was found to reopen the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine. Service connection was granted for DJD of the cervical spine and mixed posttraumatic/migraine headaches.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence and readjudication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, but not for a low back disorder. The veteran's myofascial pain syndrome is related to his active duty service, while sleep apnea, GERD, and memory loss are not.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board granted service connection for a disability manifested by cervical muscle spasm, which is linked to the veteran's service-connected hidradenitis.

The veteran's residuals of a T-12 compression fracture with deformity do not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, and his cervical degenerative disc disease is not related to service.

The Board remands the claims for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee and cervical spine disabilities are related to his service.

The Board found that the veteran's inability to use his legs is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation, automobile and adaptive equipment, or assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, hearing loss, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left rib fracture was also denied.

The veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but denied service connection for tinnitus.