Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for paravertebral muscle spasm of the cervical spine and subpatellar chondromalacia of the right knee with probable bursitis. The veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his cervical spine condition, effective from September 10, 1996, and a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee condition as of that date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder pain and upper back pain have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned in each case. The claim for noncompensable tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-service connected disabilities necessitate regular aid and attendance, allowing for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic neck disability, and cardiovascular disease including CAD, ASHD, and hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine, status post fusion, effective from June 2, 1992. The other issues were not addressed as they are related to different conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left hip disorder. The veteran's postoperative residuals of the left shoulder, hypertension, and prostatitis have been rated as appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and fibromyalgia, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine and right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The veteran's service-connected orthopedic disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and his cervical and thoracic spine disabilities are each rated at 30 and 10 percent respectively. The RO has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain disability warrants an increased rating to 20 percent, effective April 27, 2000. The cervical spine disability is not service connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical discogenic disease and an increased rating for right shoulder trauma with impingement syndrome status post surgery, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for chronic left calf strain, chronic cervical syndrome, hallux limitus of the right foot with painful callosity, and hallux limitus of the left foot, status post surgery. The RO confirmed and continued the maximum schedular evaluations for all disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck and spine injury including degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that the evidence does not support a direct link to service.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of service connection for back injuries and degenerative changes of the cervical spine due to lack of verified active duty, inactive duty training, or active duty for training during April 1977. The additional evidence submitted does not provide a more complete picture of the circumstances surrounding the appellant's attendance at National Guard training in April 1977.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability from March 29, 1994 to September 11, 1998. From September 12, 1998, the veteran is entitled to a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased evaluations of his knee disabilities. The cervical spine disorder is not considered to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied reopening the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability due to lack of new and material evidence.