Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 2, 1999 for service connection for limitation of cervical motion secondary to occipital neuralgia was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of his thoracic outlet syndrome, finding no new evidence to reopen the cervical spine disorder claim and concluding that neither condition was related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The veteran's low back strain and hypertension are rated, but the cervical spine arthritis has been granted service connection based on new evidence.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status since December 1, 1999.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident and granted service connection for this condition. The liver disorder claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's neck disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine and arthritis issues to his service, including a right shoulder injury. The claim for service connection was denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's disabilities do not render him unable to adequately attend to daily living needs or substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises, thus denying special monthly pension benefits based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is properly rated as 10 percent disabling for slight limitation of motion, and denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected neurological deficits of the right lower extremity and sensory deficits of the right upper (major) extremity, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The VA determined that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate due to his disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claim to reopen his service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, constipation, diarrhea, and upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied reopening of the right shoulder disorder claim due to lack of new and material evidence. The lower cervical spine disorder claim was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grants of service connection for thoracic strain with degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and right hip bursitis. The decision found that there was no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the veteran was entitled to a TDIU rating as of July 7, 1993 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied a higher rating for the veteran's cervical spine disorder, finding that it did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, which includes symptoms such as pain and slight limitation of motion, warrants a disability rating of 20 percent.