Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for hypertension was denied, and his secondary service connection claim for a neck disability is pending. The Board found that the higher criteria for a compensable evaluation were not met due to blood pressure readings consistently below the required levels.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, as well as his chronic sinusitis. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the appellant's service status on the date of his fall, which may affect his claims for cervical degenerative joint disease and muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to issues with the timeliness of his substantive appeal and further development is needed for a neurological examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, while his head injury residuals are not shown. Service connection for the cervical spine disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and right hip disorder were not incurred or aggravated in service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.,He also seeks to reopen a previously denied claim for PTSD, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to his spinal conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal was timely perfected with respect to his claim for service connection for status-post C5-6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (previously considered as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine).

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a current neck disability, which he claims was caused by cramped living conditions during his military service. The case is being remanded to obtain medical evidence and determine the etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his claimed disabilities and military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, shoulder condition, pubis symphysis separation with groin pain, and sleep disorder, have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches with dizziness and cervical spondylosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as a right shoulder/arm disability, was incurred in or aggravated by his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected gouty arthritis and cervical spine degenerative disc disease do not warrant initial ratings greater than 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic back and neck disorders were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's symptoms of muscle fatigue, shakes, twitching, right hip pain, neck pain, bowel problems, headaches, and skin disorders are attributed to diagnosed conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease, functional diarrhea, headache disorder, seborrhea, tinea versicolor) rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his spine disorders and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, which he claims is related to his service-connected Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary as the claim must be reconsidered on a secondary basis and additional development is required.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder, cervical spine, and ankle disabilities have been rated appropriately. The initial disability ratings for the left shoulder and right upper extremity are granted at 10 percent each, while the ankle disability remains noncompensable.