Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2001

The Board found no evidence of a current cervical spine disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed residuals of a cervical spine injury. For his bilateral hearing loss, while the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during service, there is no evidence showing that he has a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical musculoskeletal disorder or compensable arthritis of the neck within one year following separation from service. The psychiatric and sleeplessness claims were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection.

The VA has determined that your service-connected cervical spine disability, characterized by degenerative changes and limited motion, warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 7, 1998 for the grant of service connection for cervical and thoracic spondylosis is denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 19, 2001 for the award of a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine was also granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders were denied. The claim of service connection for mycoplasma fermentans was not addressed due to the nature of the appeal.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, currently rated at 30 percent, is found to produce impairment that approximates severe limitation of motion. The current rating is deemed appropriate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of well-groundedness, and also denied her service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including consideration of specific provisions related to vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as other issues.

The Board has decided that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.

The Board found no etiological relationship between the veteran's cervical spine disorder and her service-connected low back disorder. The low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, musculoskeletal tension headaches, and a right hand disorder characterized as numbness of the ulnar nerve. The VA has determined that these conditions are not related to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The veteran died due to coronary artery disease and cervical stenosis, but his service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death. The claim for eligibility to dependents' educational assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical paravertebral fibromyositis do not warrant increased ratings as they currently result in moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for chronic lumbosacral strain and found service connection for thoracic spine disorder. Service connection for cervical spine disorder was denied.

The Board is unable to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions, as well as their relationship to his service-connected condition. The issues are therefore considered mixed.

The Board finds that the veteran's currently diagnosed chronic cervical strain, muscle spasm, and degenerative disc disease of C5-C6 are etiologically related to service. The residuals of head injury are not currently demonstrated.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and increased evaluations for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to failure to report for a necessary VA examination. The claim of PTSD is remanded as additional information regarding the veteran's claimed stressors is needed.