Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2000

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his World War II service. The case was remanded due to concerns about a previous VA rheumatologist's report and new evidence provided by Dr. T. S.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for PTSD, effective from July 22, 1999. The veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 10 percent and the sinusitis claim remains pending.

The veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine is rated at 30 percent effective April 1, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service. The claim for low back disability is not well grounded due to lack of medical opinion linking current disability to service, while the claim for cervical spine disability lacks any post-service diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. However, further examination and development are needed before the merits of this claim can be evaluated.

The Board has found the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the arms and cervical spine as secondary to his service-connected residuals of shrapnel fragment wounds is plausible. The RO&IC must now consider this claim on its merits, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of anterior cervical fusion with diskectomy at C6-7 and degenerative disc disease at C5-7 warrant a rating of 20 percent, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied increased ratings for dysthymic disorder, hypertension, headaches, skin condition, and left ear hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, skin disability, and nerve disability due to exposure to Agent Orange as well as his claim for PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of combat with the enemy or credible supporting evidence of the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a cervical spine or left knee disorder during active service, and the veteran has not provided sufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between these disorders and his military service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for multiple joint arthritis, including of the cervical spine, left foot, and right elbow is denied as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship to service or any service-connected disability.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.,Both the left and right knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of secondary service connection for impotency, hiatal hernia, cervical spondylosis, and liver disease are well-grounded. The RO is directed to schedule examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected duodenal ulcer and to review all remaining claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, left ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, and deviated nasal septum are not well grounded.,Service connection was granted for a deviated nasal septum as it is considered new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disorder related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and pension benefits due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection, finding that his cervical spine disorder is already at its maximum allowable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are service-connected, with no presumption or new evidence involved.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and VA outpatient treatment records. The RO will also schedule the veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.