Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertrophic spurs of the cervical spine as secondary to his service-connected costochondritis, finding that there is no causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine is not related to his active service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities include a cervical spine injury, numbness of both hands, defective vision, muscle spasm of the rib cage, and a back condition. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied based on the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for various disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a current anxiety disorder or cervical spine disability related to the veteran's period of active service and denied both issues.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected scar of the neck, effective from the date of the decision. The arthritis in his cervical spine is not considered related to the scar and thus does not affect the current rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a brachial plexus injury of the left arm and cervical arthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and thoracic spine disabilities are related to his service, warranting service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's upper back and cervical spine disorder is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right shoulder disorder, finding that these conditions did not begin during or as a result of his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and an increased rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support these claims.

The Board found no residuals of a head injury and denied service connection for it. The veteran's low back disability, characterized as chronic recurrent lumbar strain/degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine and low back disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service, and therefore denied his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for biceps tenosynovitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, herpes stomatitis, and a low back condition due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board determined that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for disorders of the cervical and lumbar spine.

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

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or at the housebound rate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's flat feet disability was incurred during active service, while his cervical spondylolysis is not shown to be related to his period of service.

The Board found that the appellant's current cervical spine disability, diagnosed as C8-T1 radiculopathy, was incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant a compensable rating or additional benefits.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including left ankle fracture with internal fixation, chronic lower back pain, cervicalgia, and presbyopia, do not render him permanently and totally disabled as defined by VA regulations for pension purposes.