Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2001

The RO denied service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease and did not reopen the claim for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease. The veteran is requesting a personal hearing to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, but denied claims for increased evaluations. The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective November 1, 1989. His left shoulder disability was initially rated at 20 percent from that date until December 1, 1997, when it was upgraded to a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's spondylosis of the cervical spine was incurred during her period of service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for hyperthoracic back pain due to new and material evidence. The issue of whether the veteran's current cervical spine condition is related to his military service remains pending.

The veteran claims service connection for a neck disability, including arthritis of the neck, as secondary to his service-connected bunionectomy. The case is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The effective date for the grant of VA compensation benefits for the cervical spine disability is set at July 9, 1990.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have current residuals of a right hip injury, right wrist disorder, or cervical spine disorder incurred in active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spondylosis with neuropathy of the left upper extremity and weakness of the left biceps muscle and left forearm and left wrist muscles warrants a 30 percent evaluation, but his degenerative changes of the cervical spine do not warrant an increased rating.

The appellant's total disability picture results in the need for regular and constant use of a wheelchair or other assistive device as a normal mode of locomotion. However, his service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of any extremity, thus he does not qualify for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing.

The veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar myositis are rated at 20% each, but his other conditions do not warrant additional disability ratings. The Board denied pension benefits as the veteran is not unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability warranted a 20 percent rating, and his thoracic spine disability warranted a 10 percent rating. The appeals were denied as there was no evidence to support higher ratings.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for myalgia of the paraspinous lumbar muscles and denied an increased evaluation for herniated disc of the cervical spine, but allowed restoration of a previously assigned 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for a cervical spine condition, low back condition, anal fissures, and anxiety disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation training.

The veteran's special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was granted from August 11, 1997 to September 30, 1998 due to his service-connected right total hip replacement. The appeal for this benefit is denied as of September 30, 1998.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pterygia. Service connection is denied for otitis externa and Eustachian tube dysfunction, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and dermatitis.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and sebaceous cysts of the back as not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor attributable to an incident of service. The veteran's claims were also denied for sinusitis due to lack of evidence showing current disability.