Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2009

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease and disc disease of the cervical spine, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and residuals of frostbite of the feet have been reopened, but further development is needed to address the underlying merits.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new examination to evaluate the veteran's cervical spine and low back disorders.

The veteran's PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating, while the other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, as well as increased ratings for right distal radius status post osteotomy and right tibial spine fracture.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and an initial compensable evaluation for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The claims for increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraine headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to restore a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the bilateral upper extremities, as there was no competent medical evidence of a disorder manifested by numbness of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, gastroesophageal reflux with hiatal hernia and esophageal ulcer, and sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical degenerative disk disease, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, congenital stenosis, right degenerative joint disease, and total knee replacement were not incurred or aggravated during active service from February 6, 1973, to May 5, 1977.

The veteran's cervical spondylosis and hip disability were granted a 20 percent rating, as the evidence demonstrated that his conditions warranted such an increase.

The veteran is unemployable by reason of service-connected disability, as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from engaging in all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The veteran's degenerative changes of the cervical spine are service-connected.