Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, as they do not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder strain, sinus infection, headaches, low back disorder, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for her left wrist fracture and did not reopen her previously denied service connection claims for left knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The veteran's degenerative cervical spine, C4-C5, has been granted service connection and currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent). The RO found that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical cancer with hysterectomy is related to military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not related to her military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disorder, and the left knee disability did not meet criteria for higher evaluations prior to or from November 2004. Headaches, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the left hand were also evaluated without meeting criteria for increased ratings.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to new evidence submitted and incomplete service medical records. The case will be reconsidered with consideration of both low back and cervical spine disorders.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a cervical spine disorder as secondary to his right wrist laceration with median nerve irritation and tenosynovitis, and denied an increased rating for his right wrist disability. The veteran was assigned a 30 percent evaluation for his right wrist condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis is not due to a disease or injury incurred in service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals has not been scheduled, and he has not withdrawn his request. The case is being remanded to schedule the veteran for a hearing at the RO.

The veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent, the highest available rating. The cervical and hip disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board found that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not related to his active military service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current head, neck, and back disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of inservice injury or disease for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a cervical spine injury, concussion, and dental trauma are granted. The veteran was involved in an aircraft accident during service which resulted in dental trauma to teeth numbered 6, 7, 8, and 9, allowing him to receive VA outpatient dental treatment.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease with mild lumbar stenosis at L4-5 and fibromyalgia from August 14, 2001 were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The issues of cervical spine disorder, prostate disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are now before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).