Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The veteran's cervical neck pain was granted a 30 percent evaluation effective November 20, 1998. Service connection for PTSD was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disability secondary to radiation exposure during active service is not well grounded due to lack of evidence of such exposure and no current disability. The claims for back, neck, and leg disabilities are also denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, sinusitis with nasal septoplasty, and bilateral heel spurs. The disabilities are rated as 20 percent disabling under a direct service connection theory.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of the spine and granted it. The claims for service connection for disorders of the knees, ankles, arms, skin, and hypertension are denied as not well-grounded.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical and thoracic spine disabilities to his military service, thus denying his claims.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was related to an in-service injury and granted service connection for it.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities, effective from October 11, 1989. The issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for PTSD were previously addressed by the Court and are not currently under consideration.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder was rated at 20 percent prior to May 17, 1999 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rate of pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The veteran is entitled to assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected Môniére's disease, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The low back disability claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the cervical spine disability claim was denied outright as there is no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical disability is not well grounded, and his PTSD as a result of active military service is granted.

The veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied because his employment as a corrections officer did not meet the requirements of being suitable and he had overcome the effects of impairment in his job skills.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the issuance of a final decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical strain and a temporary total rating due to hospitalization are denied. The issue of vocational rehabilitation training is deferred.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations are appropriate.

The veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy, soft tissue sarcoma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease of both hips, disability of both shoulders, and neck disability are not well-grounded. The Board has denied these claims previously.

The veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for his post-operative left inguinal hernia and residuals of neck injury are well grounded.,Since the left inguinal hernia repair performed in March 1993, the veteran has had no recurrences of a left hernia. The internal support with a mesh is required when engaging in physical activity.

The veteran's claim of service connection for gastrointestinal bleeding as secondary to the use of Naprosyn medication for his service-connected headaches is granted. The Board finds that there is a plausible link between the veteran's current gastrointestinal disability and his service-connected headaches.