Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches as secondary to cervical spine dysfunction, an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left hip, and initial ratings higher than 10 percent for cervical spine dysfunction and low back pain/sciatica. The veteran's headaches were not found to be related to his service-connected condition, and there was no evidence linking his hip or back conditions directly to his service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease at C6-7, cancer, tuberculosis, a neck disorder (cervical sprain/strain), paralysis and neurological problems, bilateral ankle pain, swollen and painful joints, dizziness, throat trouble, a nervous disorder, a rectal disorder, inability to perform certain motions, lacerations to the head, face, and neck, and numbness in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for spondylolysis of the 5th lumbar vertebra and peripheral neuropathy as due to Agent Orange exposure. The claim for a lumbar spine disorder other than spondylolysis of the 5th lumbar vertebra is pending, with new evidence submitted to reopen it.

The Board granted service connection for chronic low back and left hip pain due to bilateral leg length discrepancy, assigning a 10 percent rating. The initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was also granted at 10 percent.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, characterized as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, warrants an initial evaluation of 40 percent.

The veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted. The Board found that this condition began during active military service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a skull defect and facial scars, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder bursitis, cervical spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, and bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disorders are not supported by competent evidence of a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or any other basis.

The Board found that the veteran's death was not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and post-traumatic headaches, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident during service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected neck disability is being remanded due to the need for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 and additional development, including a VA neurology examination.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain, left knee chondromalacia, and coccyx injury are currently rated at the minimum compensable levels. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is warranted for his cervical spine strain.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches are not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, low back, and cervical spine disabilities. Service connection was denied for sinusitis, skin disability (presumed fungal infection), right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected disabilities of a left knee, degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine were denied by the RO.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that the veteran's current cervical spine condition began during her active duty. The remaining issues of higher ratings for left shoulder, left knee, and left ankle conditions are remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right arm disorders, claimed as residuals of a parachute jump injury. The evidence now submitted is considered significant enough to warrant reconsideration of these claims on their merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including his degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, is due to or aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a fractured left clavicle.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck injury and resulting kyphotic deformity are not service-connected as they were acute and transitory in nature, and there is no evidence of a chronic disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to her service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.