Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, which is manifested by slight limitation of motion, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the veteran's service-connected varicocele, status-post varicocelectomy. However, it granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine.

The VA has granted a 20% evaluation for arthritis of the lumbar spine due to low back injury, and service connection for degenerative joint disease in multiple joints (hips, cervical and thoracic spine, feet).

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's asthma and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were granted service connection, but neither condition was rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiac disability characterized as sinus bradycardia and awarded an original evaluation of 10 percent for right and left wrist disabilities. Service connection was also established for lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine disabilities. However, the Board denied claims for service connection for pulmonary and sinusitis disabilities due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 18, 1991 for the grant of service connection for a disability of the cervical spine and has assigned a 20 percent evaluation for residuals of a fracture of C4-C5 with deformity of the cervical spine.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to increased evaluations.

The Board denied an increased rating for cervical myelopathy and did not grant service connection for cystitis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied as the service-connected disabilities do not qualify under VA regulations.

The Board has granted a 30% rating for the veteran's headaches, effective from March 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's overpayment of disability compensation benefits should be waived for a portion covering December 1, 1994, through March 31, 1998. However, recovery is denied for the period from October 1, 1994, through November 31, 1994.

The Board found that the appellant's service-connected cervical spine injuries contributed to his cerebrovascular accident, and thus granted service connection for residuals of cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case back to the RO for further development, including obtaining service medical records from 1986-1992 and attempting to reopen a claim for cervical spine disorder.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent since September 1, 1998.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints and arthritis of the cervical spine, with radiculopathy. The currently assigned ratings are found to be appropriate based on the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the face is denied. The issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for cervical spine injury with retained bullet remains pending.

The Board has granted the veteran's TDIU claim with an effective date of August 29, 1990. The issues of service connection for PTSD and a higher initial rating are still pending.