Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2010

Service connection for chronic cervical spine degenerative disc disease and cervical strain has been granted with a 20 percent evaluation effective December 16, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, all of which are being reconsidered due to new evidence. The Board has not yet determined the outcome for each condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed condition. The case is now pending with further examination required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disorder, including cervical spondylosis and radiculitis, is related to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining service personnel and treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine if PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service, and determining whether the Veteran's cervical strain is related to combat trauma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected C5-6 cervical ankylosis, status post vertebrae compression fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in the November 1989 rating decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's complaints of right knee, ankle, and hip disabilities are not supported by credible evidence or opinion linking them to service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition in service that resulted in current disability.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination, as well as obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all seven issues, including the evaluation of thoracic and lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, bilateral arm disorder, and psychiatric disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings at any point.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine scoliosis and cervical strain have not met the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions to address the etiology of his claimed conditions and their relationship to service or other disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a low back disability and a neck disability, which were both incurred during active service.,He also had hypertension diagnosed during active service.