Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disorder, finding that his condition did not warrant a higher rating based on moderate limitation of motion and no signs of severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but did not address or decide the service connection claim for cervical spine disability. The veteran's current rating for her lumbar spine condition remains at 40 percent.

The veteran's cervical, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders are being remanded for further development as the VA examination has not addressed whether any current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, traumatic arthritis, and COPD disabilities are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were found to be not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities and cervical spine disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of complete medical records from Dr. Canabal.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his detached retina, chronic back pain with disc bulge at L4-5 and L5-S1, and cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for any condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar strain, and flat feet are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of all available evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine condition did not manifest during service or within one year of discharge, and is not related to his active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more recent VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine fusion and right knee conditions.

The veteran was granted service connection for various conditions, including Raynaud's phenomenon and polymyositis of the shoulders and hips. The initial ratings assigned were all 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran did not incur residuals of a claimed head injury, including disabilities of the cervical spine and lumbar spine in service or within the first post-service year. The psychiatric disorder was also not incurred in service and is not proximately due to or the result of a disability incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma cervical lymph node as the evidence did not establish a link to service, including herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with spondylosis is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's dysthymic disorder is currently rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to his symptoms and functioning.,The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate given the limitation of motion. The next higher rating of 40 percent requires more severe limitations.,The veteran's lumbar spine disability is also currently rated at 20 percent, with no evidence supporting a higher rating due to his symptoms and functioning.,Both knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, which the Board finds appropriate given the veteran's limited range of motion and pain. The next higher ratings require more severe limitations or additional functional loss.,The veteran does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The July 1982 rating decision assigned a noncompensable rating for strain of the cervical spine, which was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.,The claims to reopen the service connection for residuals of a left great toe injury and hallux valgus were denied as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or that such disabilities were caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service for the claimed head injury, lumbar spine injury, or cervical spine injury. The veteran's complaints and diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and ankle disabilities, as well as back and neck conditions, were denied by the RO in March 1975. The Board has not reopened these claims due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, tension headaches, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome as there was no evidence of functional impairment or significant disability in any of these conditions.