Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral elbow condition and cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were not incurred in or related to his active service. The veteran was denied both service connection for these conditions and an increased rating for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current shoulder, upper back, and neck problems are not related to his military service or a pre-existing condition. The evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions were incurred in service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was evaluated at 60 percent from October 1, 2001 through June 2, 2004 and again from October 1, 2004. The evaluation remains unchanged.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and irritable bowel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is unable to proceed with the merits of her claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and thoracic spine conditions are not related to his military service, including an in-service accident. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his cervical spine disability was granted, and he is now rated at 20 percent for this condition. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was also granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine was caused by his service-connected low back disability. The claim for arthritis of the left wrist is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying a claimed car accident and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran has current cervical spine or whiplash residuals.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a herniated disc of the cervical spine, C6-7 and for numbness in his right and left hands as secondary to service-connected disability. The decision also noted that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for a herniated disc of the cervical spine.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30%, and his thoracic spine and lumbar strain are rated at 20%. The breast reduction surgery condition remains at a 10% rating.

The Board found no evidence of a current lumbosacral strain, cervical spine disability, or left shoulder disability related to service.,The veteran's current disabilities are attributed to post-service injuries and degenerative changes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for systemic nerve damage, stenosis of the lumbar canal with associated right sided sciatica and loss of use of legs with numbness, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, heart condition (claimed as heart palpitations), residuals of chronic prostatitis with retractable testicles, painful erection/ejaculation, and loss of use of a creative organ, and depression. The veteran's service-connected psoriasis was also denied for an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, to include cervical and thoracic spine disabilities. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for simple partial seizures, whiplash injury of the cervical and upper thoracic spines, and hemorrhoids are not supported by evidence showing at least one major seizure in the last two years or at least two minor seizures in the last six months. The VA examinations have shown no significant impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and re-adjudication of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine requires additional development, including a VA examination and opinion. The case is being remanded to the RO.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability and back disorder are related to his service, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective July 30, 2004. The claim for an earlier effective date was granted.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as it did not result in intervertebral disc syndrome, limitation of motion more than moderate degree, or favorable ankylosis. The disability is rated based on its current functional limitations.