Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that the veteran's claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities are not well grounded. The claim for evaluation of residuals of a right ankle injury with degenerative changes was granted, but at a noncompensable level.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for jungle rot of the feet and residuals of a spinal injury are not well-grounded as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The September 1982 RO rating decision denying service connection for low back disability was upheld as not containing clear and unmistakable error.,The veteran's claim of cervical spine disability due to VA surgical treatment on December 20, 1990 is denied.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they do not render it impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not well-grounded, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or post-service treatment related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a neck or back condition during service and no current disability linked to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a videoconference hearing at the Winston-Salem, North Carolina Regional Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, hands, arms, loss of feeling in the left hand (4th and 5th fingers), tingling of the arms and legs, gout, and flat feet. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

Your appeals on service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine, cervical spine, and lumbar spine have been dismissed due to your death.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and review of medical records to determine appropriate ratings for cervical spine and right elbow disabilities.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus is related to noise exposure during service.,The veteran's cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder are not related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations, finding that his service-connected conditions did not warrant higher ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative disk disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain is well-grounded and grants the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder and left shoulder disorder, but denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder. The veteran's current disabilities are rated at 30%.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disorders did not develop during service, and her arthritis of both shoulders is not related to service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), but granted it in a later decision. The attorney is not eligible for payment of fees from past-due benefits awarded due to this TDIU grant.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's condition, while severe, does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his current disability ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total convalescent rating based on surgery performed in May 1997 due to lack of severe post-operative residuals.