Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his lumbosacral spine and cervical spine conditions, as well as GERD, were granted. The veteran now receives a 40 percent evaluation for his degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine since January 13, 2004, and a 30 percent evaluation for his degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine since January 13, 2004. The veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disorder, cervical neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD). The veteran is not entitled to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of performing light physical activities and can engage in sedentary employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, was incurred during active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cervical spine strain with left shoulder radiculopathy and myofascial pain is dismissed.,PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since May 28, 2004, through January 1, 2005, and from February 3, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, low back strain, and right knee arthritis are denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding no new and material evidence. The RO had previously denied the claim in July 1999.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on the claimed conditions.

The veteran's claims for left ankle strain, right foot pain and fallen arches, left foot pain with tendonitis and fallen arches, cervical strain, and left back pain are denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability in any of these areas.,The veteran's claim for left hip pain, bursitis is also denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, psoriasis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and both knees. The new evidence submitted since the last denial was not considered material.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence linking the veteran's current low back and neck disabilities to his military service. The veteran will be provided with additional treatment records and an opportunity for a VA examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, with post-operative C4-5 laminectomy, warrants a 40 percent evaluation prior to September 26, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service medical records and other evidence. The veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed, along with his ratings for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is incurred in service, while his right knee disability was not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, hip, shoulder, and ankle disorders. However, further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the increased ratings of cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.,There is no medical evidence showing an increase in severity within one year prior to August 17, 1992.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bipolar disorder, as there was no verified stressor or supporting clinical evidence. The veteran's claims of other conditions are not addressed in this decision.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it did not result in moderate limitation of motion, intervertebral disc syndrome, forward flexion of the cervical spine not greater than 30 degrees, combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The veteran's claims for service connection were generally granted, with some conditions being attributed to undiagnosed illnesses.