Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, left knee, and right hip disabilities as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine fusion and right arm radicular symptoms were not incurred in or related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a seizure disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine conditions are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spondylosis with diskectomy and headaches are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent. The effective date for these ratings is April 15, 1993.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board found no evidence of spinal meningitis during service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as a right knee disorder. The Board also noted that there was insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The veteran's osteoid osteoma, C6, with cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The Board has also granted a separate 10 percent rating for the veteran's headaches.

The Board found that the veteran's thoracic and cervical spine disorders are not related to service, but his migraine headaches were first manifested in service. The claim for a higher rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine was granted.

The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether the veteran's cervical disc disease and Parkinson's disease had their inception during active service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board found that the reduction in the evaluation for the veteran's cervical spine disability from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on improvement in her disability as reflected in recent examinations.

The September 1980 decision denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected cervical spine condition. The January 1989 decision granted the same claim, but with a reduced rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spondylosis and related symptoms are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a neck injury or disease during his active duty service. The Board found that the medical records do not support a direct link between the veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current back disorders, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as lumbar spine spondylolisthesis, were not caused or aggravated by the May 1958 VAMC back surgery. Therefore, the claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of hands, shoulders, knees, ankles, and cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his POW experiences.

The Board denied higher ratings for the veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability or a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability.

The Board found no evidence of a current neck disability and denied the veteran's claims for service connection and pension benefits.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.