Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing medical records and further examination or opinions.

The Board is remanding the veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, rash on upper lip and nose, and post-traumatic stress disorder to allow for additional development of his medical records and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical spine arthritis, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has determined that a new examination and review of the case under both former and revised criteria are necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's period of active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development due to a hearing issue and VCAA compliance.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions as a result of his military service. Service connection is denied for all issues raised in this appeal.

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is needed to determine if a current neck disorder, including degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, is related to service. The RO should attempt to verify dates of inactive duty for training prior to September 24, 1994, obtain additional National Guard and VA medical records from the early 1980s and 1990s, and schedule a VA examination.

The veteran's multiple chronic conditions, not related to his service, require the regular aid and attendance of another person. His effective date for special monthly pension benefits is set at January 31, 2001.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent. The other issues are addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, voiding dysfunction, gouty and degenerative arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder, and a low back disorder. The decision also affirmed the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service, including exposure to extreme cold temperatures. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his thoracic spine disorder, service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder, and TDIU due to his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's cervical spine disability, effective October 1992. The disability is rated as degenerative disc disease with numbness of the right upper extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a chronic cervical spine disorder, chronic fibromyalgia, and chronic lip laceration residuals.

The Board is unable to make a decision on the service connection claim for cervical spine disorder due to pending development of evidence. The veteran's headaches and scar over his right eye are being remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an anxiety disorder, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee, both hands, wrists, and cervical and lumbar spine is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability manifested by a loss of sense of smell, defective hearing, or residuals of a back injury involving the thoracic and cervical spine. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical and thoracic spine, depression, chest pains, memory loss, dizziness, weakness in the arms, and weakness in the legs, all claimed as due to undiagnosed illness.