Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2003

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post hysterectomy cervical dysplasia, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between her current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, right clavicle, and cervical spine based on the presumption applicable in the case of former POWs.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for malaria, postoperative scarring on the right side of the neck, and cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. The veteran's service-connected conditions are rated as 20 percent disabling for inactive cervical tuberculosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions significantly contribute to his impairment of employment, and he is entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic cervical strain disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, which was continued as of October 6, 1999. The evaluation does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service personnel records and VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied, but the RO granted a May 30, 1996 effective date after remand and additional development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support these claims. The Board concluded that the preponderance of the evidence does not support the veteran's contention that his current cervical spine or left knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current back and cervical spine conditions to his service, including any injury sustained during active duty. The chronic residuals were determined not to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the cervical spine and denied a compensable rating for rheumatic heart disease.

The VA denied a request for an increased rating for cervical sprain with osteoarthritis, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for herniated and bulging discs of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that his current condition was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not render him permanently and totally disabled for pension purposes, as they are rated at less than 100% combined.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracic strain, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating prior to January 29, 2001 or since then.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected post traumatic degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from the date of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for ulcerative colitis and chronic cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.