Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they are considered to be the result of natural progression post-service, with no evidence linking them directly to his military service.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of fibromyalgia, cervical spine, stomach, right hip, right knee, or right ankle disorders. The adjustment disorder is rated at 50% and no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied as her radiculopathy of the upper right extremity has been rated at 10 percent, and her cervical spine disability has not warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred in service and is unrelated to service.,For the period prior to April 3, 2012, the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent. For the period from April 3, 2012, the Veteran's cervical spine disability meets criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.,For the period prior to April 3, 2012, the Veteran's right arm radicular symptoms did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent. For the period from April 3, 2012, the Veteran's right arm radicular symptoms meet criteria for a 50 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia of the right knee, is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current skin disease other than pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The effective date of the TDIU award is July 28, 1993.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted, and he is now entitled to a 30% disability rating as of March 13, 2013. Prior to that date, he did not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was incurred in service. The Board finds reasonable doubt in favor of this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected knee disability and to determine if she has a current neck disability. The RO will also obtain any outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent disabling prior to August 24, 2010.

The Board has determined that further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any non-replaceable missing teeth due to loss of substance of body of maxilla or mandible, and thus his dental condition claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess any current headache disorder. The claims will be readjudicated after all evidence is considered.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, and therefore her claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of heat stroke and sun poisoning was denied. The Board found no current disability related to the claimed conditions. For cervical whiplash, spinal nerve damage, and TMJ, additional evidence is needed as they are pending.

The Veteran's death was caused by cardiac arrest due to or as a consequence of acute myocardial infarction and coronary atherosclerosis, which were related to his in-service high blood pressure readings and chest pains. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders are not related to his military service, or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied. The claim for a higher rating for cutaneous neuritis of the left thigh was also denied as it is already at its maximum allowable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these disabilities to his military service or any service-connected condition.