Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative joint disease in multiple joints and cervical spine, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The case is now remanded to determine if service connection should be granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disorder, which includes chronic cervical strain with degenerative disc and joint disease, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the severity of his neurological manifestations. The RO must obtain all pertinent records from the Sutter North Medical Foundation and schedule the veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for cervical spine degenerative changes and service connection for a back disorder are being remanded due to the failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The veteran is also asked to provide consent for examination at an alternative location if Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar disc disease is not related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals, and arthritis is not shown within one year of separation. The veteran's gunshot wound residuals are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and TMJ dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for further VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his knee and low back conditions, finding no evidence of aggravation during service or significant functional impairment.

The Board denied an increased rating for cervical strain and denied a claim for tinea pedis. The veteran was assigned a 20 percent disability rating for cervical strain effective March 21, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for gastroenteritis/IBS, PTSD, and cervical dysplasia. The veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected undiagnosed illness that is most closely analogous to fibromyalgia is being remanded due to a discrepancy between the results of his September 2003 VA examination and his testimony at a RO hearing in September 2004.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, which are of a common etiology and have a combined evaluation of 60 percent, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board grants the TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed cervical spine disability and total uterine prolapse were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine on and after September 26, 2003, but denied service connection for Raynaud's phenomenon.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a spinal disorder, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative joint disease of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint is denied as there is no compensable evaluation.

The Board denied the appellant's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for cervical arthritis, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disability to his service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease to determine the appropriate increased rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her cervical spine disability, currently rated at 40 percent. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on severe limitation of motion or intervertebral disc disease.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining all records associated with the veteran's claim and receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's arthritis of the cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spine to his service. The Board found that the veteran did not provide sufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between his current condition and his military service.