Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, and therefore he is not entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of secondary service connection for the veteran's cervical spine disability or bilateral hip disability, as they are not caused by his service-connected low back condition.

The veteran's service connection claims for bacterial infection with diarrhea, parasitic infection with diarrhea, and typhus infection with diarrhea were denied. The veteran was granted initial compensable ratings for DJD of the cervical spine C5/6 and C6/7 prior to May 20, 2004 (10%), and DJD of the lumbar spine (10%) since May 20, 2004. No other service connection claims were granted.

The veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical sprain and post-concussive headaches have been granted, as well as service connection for speech and comprehension difficulties (post-concussive) and cervical dysplasia. The effective dates are not specified.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin rash in service and denied the claim. For other conditions, additional development is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain, status post avulsion fracture of the cervical spine. The TDIU issue remains.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to conflicting medical evidence and the need for a comprehensive VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and arthritis of the cervical spine. The veteran's claims were remanded, but no further development was completed before this decision.

The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine injury was denied as the evidence did not show severe limitation of motion prior to September 26, 2003. The RO assigned the highest possible schedular evaluation (20%) effective from August 14, 2000.,The veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for fibromyalgia was denied as she already received the maximum schedular evaluation (40%) effective from August 14, 2000. The RO found no evidence of exceptional disability picture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low and upper back disorders are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The veteran's left knee arthritis is service-connected and granted a 10% rating effective April 13, 2005.,Service connection for lumbar spine injury and cervical spine injury was denied. The veteran's pes planus disability remains non-compensably disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hemorrhoids were denied. The RO assigned a 10% rating to each condition.,Service connection was not granted for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran is granted service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and its associated joint disabilities, but denied service connection for valvular heart disease.,Service connection was not granted for residuals of rheumatic fever as the condition preexisted service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder and cervical spine disorder, both as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not support the presence or relationship to service.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and potentially providing a VA examination regarding the veteran's back and neck disabilities. The veteran will be provided with a supplemental statement of the case if his claims are not granted after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a whiplash injury of the cervical spine are manifested by objective evidence of disc disease, radiating pain to each arm, and worsening pain with heavy lifting or repetitive use-producing functional impairment comparable to severe intervertebral disc syndrome with intermittent relief. The criteria for a disability rating of 40 percent for residuals of a whiplash injury of the cervical spine have been met.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, arthritis of the right hand, and arthritis of the right elbow were denied. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The veteran's residuals of herniated discs at the level of the 4th and 5th, and 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae have been found to cause severe limitation of motion. The Board has determined that a 30 percent evaluation is warranted for this condition.