Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that none of his conditions warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back and cervical spine disorders, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board found that the veteran died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and his death was due to depression caused by primary alcohol abuse disorder. The service connection for the cause of death is denied as there is no evidence linking the veteran's manic-depressive/bipolar disorder to his military service.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists are each rated at 10 percent, while his degenerative joint disease of C2-C7 is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeals for higher evaluations have been denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is moot as it has already been established. The issue of an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability remains unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied service connection for right shoulder pain. The veteran's bilateral pes planus with hammertoes is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and increased ratings for the residuals of a shell fragment wound of the left shoulder and cervical strain. The veteran's skin condition is not considered to be related to his military service, while his shoulder disability remains at a 30% rating.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, but denied some issues related to earlier effective dates.

The VA has denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected postoperative disc disease of the cervical spine with herniated disc, as there is no evidence of muscle spasms or other neurological findings appropriate to the site of a diseased disc.

The veteran's service connection claim for residuals of sunburn was denied. The rating for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine was increased to 30 percent, but no higher as severe limitation of motion is already covered by the current rating. No compensable ratings were granted for appendectomy scar, hemorrhoids, or residuals of a right foot fracture.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's postoperative cervical intervertebral disc disease with fusion at C7 prior to March 23, 1999 and a 30 percent rating from that date. The effective dates are not specified in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for the veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine disability. The claim for total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability was remanded to the RO.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial in January 1996. The claim is now ready for further review on its merits.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disabilities, including arthritis, are not related to service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for increased rating of shell fragment wound residuals to the right shoulder was denied. The cervical spine disorder is not service connected and arthritis in the right shoulder does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized by minimal narrowing of the left C3-4 foramen and associated symptoms, warrants a 20 percent evaluation. The thoracic spine issue is denied as there is no current evidence of a disability.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5293 for pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The other conditions are not granted as service connected.

The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date of August 13, 1993 for the grant of service connection for limitation of motion of the cervical spine.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of current periodontal disease, cervical strain with muscular headaches, or sinusitis with rhinitis related to active service. The residuals of the bunionectomy were not considered severe enough to warrant a compensable evaluation.