Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a cervical strain with right upper extremity weakness and headaches are reasonably related to service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for the cause of his death, finding that his suicide was not due to a service-connected disability and thus denying the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current chronic cervical spine or thoracic spine disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for left shoulder disability was previously denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The veteran claims service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, which he alleges is related to a motor vehicle accident in service. The Board finds that further development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the current evaluations of 10 percent are appropriate based on the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, associated with arthritis and fusion at C2-3, warrants a 30 percent rating based on moderate impairment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are not related to his military service, including any exposure to cold or a fall during service. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating of cervical spine condition and service connection for residuals of right ankle sprain, right shoulder strain, left wrist injury, sinusitis/myalgia, and spinal tap. The veteran appealed these decisions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a shell fragment wound of the neck, manifested by traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, warrant a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5290.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for a degenerative disorder affecting the cervical spine and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a heart murmur. The appeal regarding left ovarian cysts was not addressed due to procedural issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, right knee disability, left knee disability, shin splints, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. The RO assigned the current 10 percent rating since the grant of service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical strain disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective from September 30, 1993.

The veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine is rated at 20 percent effective from December 20, 2000. The fungal infection of the feet and right hand remains at zero percent.

The VA has denied an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and dermatitis, but granted a 10% evaluation for dermatitis. The claim to reopen service connection for syringomyelia with syrinx in the cervical spinal canal was not successful.

The veteran's claim of an effective date prior to July 7, 1998 for the grant of service connection for cervical and thoracic spondylosis was granted.

The Board has determined that an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder is not warranted, as the veteran's disability currently meets the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation. The issues regarding secondary service connection for cervical spine and acromioclavicular joint disorders are also addressed.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a neck disability that he claims was caused by an injury sustained during active duty. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations, is necessary before the claim can be decided.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical strain does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it is currently productive of moderate limitation of motion.

The veteran's disabilities are all nonservice-connected and do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension in the form of housebound benefits.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of well-grounded claims and potential application of new legislation.