Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2001

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and right eye disorder, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck disability. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The veteran's left knee disability is found to be due to his service-connected left hip disability, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for the veteran's back disorder, which is linked to an injury sustained during military service in November 1955.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as his condition is currently treated with dietary restrictions and oral hypoglycemic agents without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has denied the veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of evidence showing service-connected disability that meets the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, cervical spine (neck), and gastrointestinal disabilities based on evidence showing these conditions started during the veteran's military service.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his right foot due to service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim is pending as further evaluation is needed to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable without considering non-service connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The appellant's statements regarding her injuries in service are considered significant enough to warrant a review of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for low back and neck disorders, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent for the lumbar spine or 10 percent for the cervical spine.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of August 13, 1993, for the grant of service connection for limitation of motion of the cervical spine. The veteran filed his claim on August 16, 1993.

The VA is remanding the case for additional development due to a need for updated medical records and an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left foot, cervical spine, dorsal spine, and lumbar spine in April 1987 due to lack of evidence within one year post-service and non-traumatic nature. The veteran's motion argues that CUE was made in this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disability due to new medical evidence submitted since the last final denial. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back and cervical spine disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left foot disabilities, as well as her lumbosacral strain disability, were denied. The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain was not addressed in this decision.