Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and initial ratings for balanitis xerotica obliterans and discogenic disease of the lumbosacral spine were denied. The RO awarded service connection for balanitis xerotica obiterans with an initial noncompensable rating, effective June 27, 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip strain with mild osteoarthrosis and cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, both of which are related to the Veteran's military service. The RO also increased his initial rating from 30% to 50%, effective August 31, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to an incident in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The bilateral hearing loss claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation from 60 percent to 10 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine with upper extremity complaints was proper, as the evidence showed significant improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and compensation for hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a neck disability, as well as his increased ratings for psychiatric disorder, costochondritis, right Achilles tendon calcific tendinitis, and left Achilles tendon calcific tendinitis have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and back condition, but remanded these issues to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a left elbow condition, both claimed as secondary to his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The Board also dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues, including adjudicating the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent effective from the date of claim. The right shoulder disability remains rated at 40 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a back injury during active duty and the Veteran's self-reported history is not credible. The current back disorder was first diagnosed decades after service, and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran did not have any evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The disabilities are considered to be unrelated to any injury, disease, or event in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete examination reports, and the case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any neck disability found. The appeal will be readjudicated after the additional development.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional service records, including those related to the Veteran's deployment in Southwest Asia. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.