Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right knee disorder, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active military service. The claims are remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and denied special monthly pension on account of the need for aid and attendance. The veteran's disabilities include major depressive disorder, prostate adenocarcinoma, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and cervical paravertebral myositis.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to effective dates for service connection of PTSD and spinal cord injury residuals prior to their initial determinations.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disability to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to scheduling issues, and a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO is requested.

The VA has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further action, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and verifying stressors. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of these actions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's anxiety disorder (with phobias) does not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, and his cervical spine soft tissue injury and residuals of right tibia fracture do not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The case was remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and other conditions, finding that the evidence did not establish a link to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disorders are not related to service, but did find new and material evidence for his claim of recurrent back strain. The claim for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease was denied as direct service connection is not established.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is not related to military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension based on aid and attendance/housebound status. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of new and material evidence, while the claim for special monthly pension was denied as the veteran did not meet the criteria for either aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical spine injury with degenerative joint disease and radiating arthralgia to the right shoulder is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case addressing the issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death due to arthritis contributing to an abdominal aneurysm rupture. The issue of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected herniated discs of the cervical spine. The Board has determined that further development, including additional examinations and consideration of new evidence, is necessary before a final decision can be made.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor could they be presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to Agent Orange or other environmental factors. The diagnoses of degenerative joint disease and spondylosis are consistent with wear and tear from strenuous activities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and evidence. The veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches are on appeal, as is his claim for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for specially adaptive housing, special home adaptation, and aid and attendance benefits due to conflicting opinions and incomplete medical records.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability due to new and material evidence. The case is being remanded to obtain VA medical records, clarify the location of back pain treatment by a private physician, and determine if the veteran qualifies for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.