Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, which represent complete grants of the benefits sought on appeal.

The veteran's service-connected C-7 cervical spine root compression has been rated at 30 percent since the effective date of the decision, which is not specified. The condition more nearly approximates severe limitation of motion of the cervical spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, dizziness and fainting spells, pain in joints, leg cramps, anxiety and stress, and shortness of breath, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The decision is based on a finding that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent for degenerative changes of the cervical spine is warranted since January 4, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left leg disabilities are not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has restored service connection for low back disability. The veteran's cervical spine and left arm disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to incomplete service medical records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current lumbar or cervical spine disorder is related to disease or injury shown in his service records.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 6, 1991. The right thumb strain and residuals of left thumb sprain are both rated as 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, thoracic spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The veteran was also denied a compensable rating for his bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an effective date prior to January 31, 2005, for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a potential opinion from Dr. K.S. regarding the veteran's back disability.

The Board has found new and material evidence to have been presented, allowing the veteran's claim for service connection of cervical spine disability to be reopened. However, after reviewing all available medical records and examining the veteran, the VA examiner concluded that there is insufficient evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disability to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine and cervical disk disease, as both conditions are rated at their maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, post-concussion migraine headaches, and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.

The Board found no evidence of degenerative disc/joint disease, prostatitis, or generalized anxiety disorder during the veteran's period of active service. The VA examiner did not find any pathology related to these conditions.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as there is no medical evidence linking them to the veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus.,Service connection is denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected tension headaches with cervical pain, finding that his headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to May 24, 1984 for a 30 percent evaluation for his service-connected degenerative disc disease and denied his claim for service connection for a neck disability.