Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a compression fracture of the cervical spine, finding that the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 100 percent for the veteran's service-connected cardiovascular disability, effective from January 1993 to March 1, 1993. The ratings for arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracic spine remain at 10 percent each, while the rating for traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is maintained at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's cervical spine disorder beginning on December 31, 1996. The previous evaluations were found to be inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right middle finger disability and assigned a 10 percent rating effective from November 1, 1996. The issue of increased rating for cervical spine disorder is pending. Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is also raised.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of cervical and thoracic spine trauma.

The Board found that the veteran's DJD of the cervical spine was not present during service and is not related to any incident of service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for DJD of the cervical spine was denied.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current cervical spine disability is related to service, and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection are not well grounded, and thus denied them. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a joint disability is reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for compensable ratings for polycystic kidney disease, residuals of cervical dysplasia, and ovarian cystic disease. The appeal regarding entitlement to a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 was also denied.

The Board found that cervical strain syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and arthritis of the cervical spine may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The veteran's claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's major depression and cervical spine disability were granted increased ratings, with the latter effective September 3, 1996.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and correspondence from employers.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet was not well-grounded, and his cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding no competent evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident of service origin.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, sinusitis, and rhinitis as the evidence did not support a finding of more than mild or moderate impairment.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and granted an increased evaluation for the cervical spine disability. The appellant's current condition is now considered to be related to his military service, specifically his parachute jump training exercises.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical muscle spasm and chronic chest pain are not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The RO assigned the appropriate disability ratings based on the severity of his service-connected conditions, but did not grant any additional benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for psychiatric disability, denied service connection for residuals of a right ankle injury, denied increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine and bronchitis, and denied an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist.

The RO granted service connection and assigned evaluations for various shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, knee, and toe conditions. The appellant's claims were not well-grounded for residuals of head injury.