Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board has found that the veteran's cervical spondylosis is service-connected, but his hypertension was not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied service connection for actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and renal cyst. Service connection was granted for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder but not for multiple joint arthritis or arthritis of the cervical spine. Claims for increased evaluations were also addressed.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and low back disabilities, with a rating of 20 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's numbness of the right arm, hand and leg is not well grounded. The low back disability was incurred in service, while the neck disability claim is not well grounded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the hands is not well grounded.,The veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left shoulder and elbow injuries are well grounded.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's cervical strain and denied any increase in his lumbosacral strain rating, as both conditions are separately evaluated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for dental trauma and a cervical spine disorder are not well grounded. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss in the left ear and a disorder of the left upper extremity have also been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as she does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well grounded, and thus denied them.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder were well-grounded, but denied her claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by dizziness due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and increased ratings for his low back disorder. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection for the cervical spine disorder, and concluded that an evaluation higher than 20 percent was not warranted for the low back disorder prior to November 18, 1998, but did grant a 40 percent rating effective from November 18, 1998.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected lumbar strain, and finds that he is entitled to service connection for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine. The rating assigned aligns with the criteria set forth in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for residuals of injury to the right forearm are well-grounded. The RO should schedule a VA examination coincident with a flare-up in his skin disorders and ensure all pertinent medical evidence is associated with the claims file.

The veteran's nicotine dependence and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are found to be related to his service-connected coronary arteriosclerosis. His bronchitis is not currently shown, but he has been granted service connection for arthritis of the right index finger. The other claims have either been denied or require further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition and found that the initial 20% rating assigned for his chronic lumbar strain with thoracolumbar scoliosis was appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his headaches due to cervical spine disability warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the RO. The issues include service connection for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a relationship between any neck pains experienced during active service and his current condition.