Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The case is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the extent of the veteran's right knee disability, cervical spondylosis, and residuals of thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy. The RO will then review the claims again.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine strain with arthritis warrants a 30 percent evaluation, and his myositis of the left foot warrants a non-compensable (zero percent) evaluation.

The veteran's cause of death, cachexia with inanition, was not related to service or his service-connected disabilities. The appellant did not meet the requirements for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is related to his military service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various back, hip, leg, and knee disorders as well as left and right upper extremity disorders. The evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and thoracic spine injuries with degenerative disc disease, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or proximate to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for an anxiety disorder and residuals of a neck injury including degenerative cervical spondylosis as secondary to right ankle degenerative arthritis, and also denied his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right ankle degenerative arthritis. The VA examinations indicated that the right ankle disability was manifested by marked limitation of motion with constant pain, swelling, instability, weakness, catching, clicking, and popping.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder during service or for many years after discharge. The veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his service-connected low back disability and does not have a direct link to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, multilevel degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and a full thickness supraspinatus tear of the left shoulder were denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine have been rated at their maximum allowable evaluations (40% for each condition).

The veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims of a compensable rating for headaches have been withdrawn as perfected.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for IBS/GERD or cervical spine disability, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or pes planus.

The veteran has withdrawn all of his claims before the VA.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were granted with initial evaluations. The bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus of the right foot each received a noncompensable evaluation, while carpal tunnel syndrome was assigned 10 percent ratings for both wrists.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical arthritis with spondylosis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected gun shot wound, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased ratings for knee disabilities and effective dates, as well as a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development of evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a 50 percent rating for PTSD. The effective date will be determined in accordance with VA rules.

The veteran's appeal of the issue regarding service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to nerve impingement, bilateral upper extremities has been withdrawn. The other issues remain under consideration.

The VA denied increased ratings for cervical strain and headaches associated with cervical strain, finding that the veteran's disability did not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service, but further examination and review of the claims file are needed to determine if it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected right hip disorder.