Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, has been remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities have been granted, but the RO has not yet assigned effective dates. The Veteran seeks higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder, cervical disc disease, and lumbar spine injury have a combined disability rating of 60 percent. His service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraine headaches were denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD with staged ratings from April 23, 2004 to October 22, 2007, and for advanced osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with a rating of 20 percent effective October 10, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip dysplasia, removal of the uterus, chronic tendonitis of the left shoulder, spondylolysis of the lumbar spine, cervical strain with trace bulging at the C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7 levels, chronic tendonitis left knee, uterine fibroids, and removal of the right ovary, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current hemorrhoids are related to his military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids. The cervical/lumbar spine condition claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his cervical spine disability has been remanded due to a failure to provide the appellant with proper notice and scheduling for a hearing.

The Veteran was found to be in need of aid and attendance due to his service-connected lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities from December 1, 2002 to May 31, 2006. He is not housebound.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her Substantive Appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disorder, acute iritis, deviated nasal septum, or chronic pharyngitis. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, right shin splints, left shin splints, and a right femoral condyle disability. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his service-connected back, left knee, and right knee disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, headaches, and right knee disorder have been denied. The claim for headaches has been granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, shoulder, and knee disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not show a chronic disability of these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for the appellant's right shoulder disability and neck disability with headaches, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right humeral head lesion, which he contends is related to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the onset of the condition and its relationship to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is rated at 40 percent, which closely approximates unfavorable ankylosis. The Veteran's cervical dystonia affecting muscle group XXIII has been rated at 30 percent and does not warrant a higher rating as there are no additional problems beyond those contemplated by the schedule.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extension of a temporary total rating based on convalescence and increased ratings for his left shoulder disability and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, residuals of cold injury to both hands and feet, residuals of cold injury to face and ears, scapula fracture, cervical spine fracture, hypertension, and sleep disorder have been denied. The reasons are provided in the reasoning section.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or that they are related to service.