Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for her service-connected lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disc disease is denied due to the proper recoupment of separation pay from VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's current cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and right upper extremity radiculopathy were diagnosed in service. The Board finds that entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected cervical disc disease. The Board also remanded the issues of increased rating for cervical disc disease with headaches and service connection for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for PTSD and service connection for cervical spine disorder have been granted.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder or lumbar spine disorder in service, and the Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy of bilateral upper and lower extremities as secondary to his low back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel and treatment records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder remains pending.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back, neck, right knee, left hip, and heat stroke disabilities. The claim is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder, which represents a complete grant of the Veteran's appeal as to that issue alone. The claims for secondary service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and low back disorder are also addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial burns, pseudofolliculitis barbae, sinusitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (cervical radiculopathy), skin pruritus, rheumatoid arthritis with bone spurs of the right shoulder, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more current VA medical evaluation of his service-connected low back strain with degenerative changes and cervical spine disorders, as well as obtaining all available treatment records from August 2007 to the present.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability and sleep apnea. There are no in-service complaints, treatments, or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The appellant's service-connected L1-L2 fusion and cervical spine conditions are currently rated at 20%.,For the period from July 16, 2005 through May 30, 2009, the appellant's cervical spine condition is rated at 10%. From May 31, 2009, it is rated at 20%,From March 1, 2010, the appellant's right shoulder condition with post-operative decompression is rated at 20%.,The appellant's service-connected cervical spine condition was not increased beyond 10% prior to May 31, 2009 and remains at 10%. The current rating of 20% for the period from May 31, 2009 is appropriate as it reflects the severity of his disability.,The appellant's service-connected right shoulder condition with post-operative decompression was not increased beyond 10% prior to December 14, 2009 and remains at 10%. The current rating of 20% for the period from March 1, 2010 is appropriate as it reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for cervical spine disability, service connection for PTSD, and impotency were denied. The right arm injury claim was reopened but not granted. Service connection for a depressive disorder was granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active military service and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine is due to a process of degeneration that began after he sustained an injury during his service in Vietnam. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease was denied by the RO, with a final denial in April 1995. The VA examinations conducted prior to this decision showed moderate limitation of motion and no neurological abnormalities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The case will be readjudicated after a new examination.

The Veteran's TMJ syndrome has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of claim.