Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia was denied as there is no underlying disability for which service connection may be granted. The claims for higher initial evaluations of cervical spine spondylosis, alopecia, ovarian disability, uterine fibroids removal, arthritis of the metatarsal joint of the little toe of the left foot, and skin deformities of the left foot are remanded for additional examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability and migraine cephalgia, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's leukocystoclastic vasculitis has not been shown to warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of his peripheral neuropathy and neck disorder. The presumption of service connection based on herbicide exposure will also be considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability and benign prostate hypertrophy, including consideration of presumed exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's effective date for his increased disability rating of 30 percent for generalized dermatitis has been advanced from September 13, 2006 to the date of claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, cervical degenerative disk disease, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with osteoarthritis were all rated at the lowest possible initial evaluation of 10 percent for each condition. The evaluations have not changed since their initial assignment in October 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his low back disability, and ensuring all evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck and left hand disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor are they related to any in-service injury. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity for either condition.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disability due to service or any other event, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA spine and neurological examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD with hiatal hernia, a pulmonary disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right hip disorder, and a left hip disorder. The Veteran was not granted any disability rating or effective date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical and dorsal spine disabilities are directly related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain clarification on the examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as additional medical records. The appeal is currently in a state of pending status.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for chronic headaches is granted. The claims for back pain, skin cancer, and neck disability are denied as there was no evidence of a nexus to service. Service connection for malaria is not granted due to lack of exposure during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.