Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The Board has granted service connection for schizophrenia and assigned a 10 percent rating for the veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal is also granted on reopening of the claim due to new evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and low back pain with headaches, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a disability of the digestive system, including ulcers and hiatal hernia; a cervical spine disability manifested by degenerative joint disease (DJD), claimed as residuals of inservice trauma to the neck; a lower back disability, claimed as residuals of inservice trauma to the back; and a thoracic spine disability, claimed as residuals of inservice trauma to the back. The Board has also reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, claimed as residuals of inservice trauma to the shoulders.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's disabilities, including his left knee replacement and residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, render him unable to care for himself and perform tasks incident to daily living. The need for regular aid and attendance is established, granting special monthly pension benefits.

The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions related to service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left foot disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated during active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the legal requirements to receive such benefits based on his multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for sinusitis, including headaches and throat symptoms. However, prior to a final decision on this matter, the Board is undertaking additional development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic cervical spine, low back and right knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service. The veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent since October 30, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back and neck disability, as well as an eye disability. The evidence did not establish a nexus between any current disabilities and military service.

The veteran's request is to reopen his claim for service connection of a right cervical rib. The case has been remanded due to the need for another hearing.

The veteran's claim for service connection of several disorders, including a right shoulder disorder and neck disorder, was granted by the RO on January 2, 2001. The Board denied an earlier effective date due to lack of evidence supporting such a request.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for a cardiac disorder, cervical spine disorder, and thoracic spine disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board granted a 30% rating for cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes, effective from August 27, 2002. The earlier effective date claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent, effective October 22, 2002.

The Board finds that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not causally or etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current degenerative changes of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, hips, and shoulders to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for his cervical spine disability, an increased evaluation for his migraine headaches, and service connection for depression as secondary to his service-connected residuals of head injury. The claim for service connection for a left eye disorder was not addressed due to lack of evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service.