Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to June 28, 2003 for a 20 percent rating for cervical strain is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis was not caused by VA's carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and osteoporosis, all secondary to her service-connected pes planus. The claims are granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of SSA benefits and a VA examination to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the veteran's claimed musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for post traumatic peripheral neuropathy of the right cervical area, C3-C4.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement bursitis and an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from April 18, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), a psychiatric disability to include PTSD, bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar strain, and cervical strain. The decision also denied his request for an increased rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his service-connected disabilities of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and left hip. The veteran argued that he filed a claim shortly after leaving military service in June 1990 but was not given credit for this filing due to administrative regularity.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine injury residuals do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent, as there is no evidence of fracture injury to the vertebra or pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The current disability ratings are in effect.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as a compensable rating for tinea cruris. The claim to reopen a claim for service connection for oligospermia/infertility was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and rheumatic heart disease, finding that there was no evidence to support a current disability or a link between his military service and these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disc disease with limitation of motion and lumbar spine disorder, status post strain. The medical opinions provided since the prior denial suggest a link between these conditions and an automobile accident during military service.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities due to his withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to his period of active duty service for any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, including left and right knee injuries, left and right ankle injuries, hepatitis, head injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board has also determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between these disabilities and his period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The veteran's TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Board is unable to determine whether the veteran currently suffers from a diagnosed chronic gynecological condition based on the available information. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from the Social Security Administration and providing the veteran with a neurological examination to determine if his current cervical spine disability is related to symptoms noted in service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder was aggravated by military service, and thus service connection is granted for that portion of her disability. The cervical spine disorder claim requires additional action from the RO.