Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, manifested by moderate intervertebral disc syndrome and moderate limitation of motion, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left shoulder disorder, finding that the appellant's current disabilities are related to his in-service injuries.

The veteran's service-connected condition was not treated for a period in excess of 21 days during his terminal VA hospitalization, so he is denied entitlement to a temporary total rating pursuant to the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.29 as a result of VA hospitalization from September 24 to November 19, 1993.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine/neck disability due to lack of current evidence of disease or injury, and because there was no showing that pain alone could be compensable in the absence of an in-service disease or injury.

The Board denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for headaches as a residual of head injury and for cervical spine disability, finding that new evidence did not provide sufficient material to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine with headaches was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor was any arthritis manifested to a compensable degree within one year post-service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The VA has granted service connection for cervical disc disease and assigned a rating of 10 percent, which is the initial evaluation.

The Board denied the extension of a temporary total rating for post-surgical treatment and granted SMC at the housebound rate. The veteran's urinary dysfunction remains rated at 60 percent, effective February 10, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine warrants a 40 percent evaluation, which is higher than the current 20 percent rating. The decision also notes that this evaluation contemplates all resultant occupational impairment.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, for the period prior to January 21, 1992. The claim of service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was also addressed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for left knee and lumbar spine disorders, but granted service connection for cervical spine disorder. The decision did not address whether the current conditions are related to service.

The appellant's claim for compensation under section 1151 was denied because he is not a veteran and therefore ineligible for payment of compensation.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and found the veteran's appeal as to evaluation of bilateral lower extremity swelling/arthralgias, secondary to sarcoidosis, timely. The veteran was awarded service connection based on continuity of symptomatology from active duty.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the current evaluation of 40 percent is appropriate given the severity and nature of his symptoms.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the highest rating of 20% assigned for cervical strain.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral disc disease with sciatica, effective from July 1997. The veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be service-connected as secondary to her in-service work as a medical assistant.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right scapulocostal syndrome, chronic cervical strain, bilateral knee conditions, and right ankle sprain with ligament laxity were denied. The RO assigned a 10 percent rating to each condition effective from January 11, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a septoplasty, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, low back pain, headaches, and cervical spine pain. The veteran's preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be service-connected.,The left eye disorder is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes. The cervical spine, low back, right lower extremity (right ankle), left upper extremity on organic basis, genitourinary disorder, psychiatric disorder, headaches and memory loss on organic basis, and stomach disability are all found to be not service-connected.