Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a cervical disorder related to military service or secondary to lumbosacral and right ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed neck/cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and diabetes mellitus. The veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for each of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for both a low back disability and a cervical spine disability, finding no current disabilities or medical nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence received since the May 2002 rating decision is not new and material, and therefore, the claim of service connection for a neck disability may not be reopened.

The Board has requested additional information from the appellant regarding his cervical and lumbosacral strain conditions, which he claims are related to his service-connected right shoulder tendonitis. The case is being remanded for further development of these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain is being reviewed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a left arm disability that he claims originates in his cervical spine. He also seeks an increased rating for PTSD. The case has been remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation of these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to her service-connected right knee and back disabilities, granting service connection for this condition.

The VA has determined that your degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the cervical spine does not warrant a higher initial evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a left knee disability and granted service connection, assigning a 10% rating.

The Board found that the appellant's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right and left cervical radiculopathy do not meet the schedular criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for hypothalamic syndrome and sleep disorder. The veteran's current cervical spine disability is considered to be directly related to his in-service injury. However, there is no evidence of an underlying hypothalamic or sleep disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of low back injury with pain in the lower extremities, cervical spine injury, and pneumothorax. The reasons given include a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy is granted.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 20 percent evaluation effective December 1, 1999. The RO also granted an increased 20 percent evaluation for cervical spine disability from September 26, 2000 to January 22, 2003 and a temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a low back disability related to service, and his respiratory disability is not linked to service. The cervical spine disability was also found not to be related to service or his service-connected right shoulder disability.,As such, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical joint disease, right arm radiculopathy, left arm radiculopathy, and hypertension as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition.