Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a seizure disorder, tardive dyskinesia, or cervical spine disability that is service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it began as a consequence of active service.

The VA has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, effective January 24, 2001. The condition is characterized by very significant muscle spasm productive of severe intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased evaluation for cervical disc degenerative disease, and as a result, the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a cervical spine disorder or bilateral hearing loss that is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and an initial compensable disability rating for a scar from a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not seen in service or post-service, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his period of service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist sprain and carpal tunnel syndrome, and finds no evidence to support service connection for these conditions. The veteran's ring finger disorder is currently rated as noncompensably disabling.

The veteran's increased evaluation claims for cervical spine strain with arthritis and myositis of the left foot are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine injury residuals and headaches, finding that the medical evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back and neck disabilities were denied. The low back disability was not rated higher than 40 percent, while the neck disability received a compensable evaluation prior to July 13, 2001, but no rating has been assigned since that date.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The decision found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his time in service or to a service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5287 for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. The claimant seeks a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders are not due to or aggravated by active service. The veteran's fibromyalgia is also not related to her active service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation which is sedentary in nature. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied and not reopened. The Board found that his current back condition did not manifest during or within one year after service, and is not related to his service. His skin disorder claim remains pending as VA records are still being sought.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective October 31, 1998 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spondylosis and headaches, as well as his claim for service connection for a right arm condition, were denied. The veteran does not have diagnosed right shoulder pathology.