Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence linking any cervical spine disability or the veteran's dizzy spells, loss of balance, and numbness between the shoulders and arms to his military service. The claim was denied as not well grounded.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disorder, tension headaches, and cervical spine disorder are each evaluated at the minimum (10%) level. The RO has not granted any higher evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are well-grounded and have granted them. The veteran is presumed to be in sound condition upon entry into active duty, so any current conditions must arise during his service or be due to pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury, bilateral patello-femoral syndrome, and periostitis (shin splints). The claim for migraine headaches was granted with a 30 percent evaluation effective from June 1997.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected infectious hepatitis-B, mechanical low back strain, and cervical strain with degenerative joint disease. The VA found that the current evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is currently pending. The RO has requested additional evidence and will reassess his disability ratings after further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, hypertension, and cervical disc disease due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has ordered the case to be returned to the RO for consideration of additional medical evidence submitted by the veteran, and for readjudication in light of all pertinent evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine fracture of body of C5 with residual deformity and secondary headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's disabilities, including his cervical spine and lung conditions, depression, heroin abuse, and alcohol dependence, do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical disc disease and head injury residuals, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the veteran's cervical spine disability and right knee condition. The issue of entitlement to a total rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also raised by the record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hamstring disability and bilateral leg disabilities are not well grounded.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is granted as it was presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has granted service connection for post-operative cervical spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, finding that the veteran's current condition is likely due to injuries sustained during military service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, chronic low back muscular strain with arthritis, and postoperative residuals of a ganglion cyst with synovitis of the left wrist are all rated at their maximum allowable evaluations. The veteran's headaches as residual of concussion remain rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and denied service connection for a stomach disorder with indigestion. The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, while her basal cell carcinoma excision scars are not assigned any compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a frozen ear, cervical spine disability, nose disability with impaired breathing, and facial injury, to include scars and headaches are not well grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for flat feet and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition is not well-grounded and denied it.

The Board granted service connection for mycosis fungoides effective from December 21, 1993. The claims for headaches, degenerative changes in the cervical and lumbar spine, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and polysensory neuropathy were not well-grounded.