Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine warranted a 10 percent evaluation, but not higher. The thoracic and lumbar spine disability claim is pending due to new evidence received.

The veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial evaluations were denied. The veteran was granted a compensable evaluation for amputation of the distal phalanx of the left middle finger.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability or 10 percent for the orthopedic manifestations of the lumbar spine disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical arthritis and laceration scars, finding that the current ratings of 20 percent were appropriate.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, bilateral leg disorders, and gastroenteritis. The case is being remanded to allow consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease of either knee, degenerative disc disease of the cervical or lumbar spine, or osteoporosis that began in service.

The Board is unable to determine whether the veteran's cervical spine disorder is directly related to service or if it was aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disorder. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted the veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection for DJD of the cervical spine. However, due to procedural concerns and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions, the de novo adjudication of this issue is deferred.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that cervical spine, left knee, or left shoulder disorders were present in-service.,Arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred due to lack of evidence showing arthritis manifested within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, bilateral genu varus (claimed as trench foot), tinnitus, left leg condition, right arm condition, and head condition. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and her diabetes mellitus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The right thumb disability has been granted as service-connected but the initial evaluation remains at 20%.

The veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on April 17 and 18, 2006 are approved due to the emergency nature of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability with spondylosis and spinal stenosis, left shoulder degenerative osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar disability (chronic strain of the thoracic spine), and left ear hearing loss. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the 1970s and 1980s and a spine examination to determine if the veteran's current cervical spine condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the back cannot be reopened, and his claim for service connection for a neck disability is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, cervical sprain, appendectomy scar, degenerative changes of the lumbar spine (now termed), tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety reaction. The RO previously denied these petitions in April 1997 and April 2002 without reopening them.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and evidence related to the veteran's cervical spine disability and its relation to service, particularly exposure to Agent Orange. The veteran's claim is currently pending.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with arthritis has been rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Ratings Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's cervical spine disorder and considering whether it is related to service or any other cause.

The Board finds that the veteran's spinal disorders are related to service and grants his claim for service connection. The veteran is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance due to his non-service-connected conditions.