Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2008

The veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to a neck injury sustained in service.

The Board denied service connection for herniated and bulging discs of the cervical and lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The appeal was denied for service connection of inguinal hernia and arthritis of multiple joints, as well as for earlier effective dates for disability pension and increased rating.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and cervical spine degenerative joint disease, but denied reopening the claim for an acquired nervous disorder. The claim for cerebral aneurysms was also reopened.

The veteran's claims for initial evaluations in excess of 20 percent for right thoracic scoliosis and chronic cervical musculoligamentous strain are being remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for allergies and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine to obtain additional medical evidence regarding their etiology.

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD, bilateral tinnitus, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss, and service connection for hypertension and post concussion syndrome with headaches and short term memory loss were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate disorder, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lower back, shoulders and knees, hypertension, heart disorder, and hearing loss to schedule a VA audiological examination.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development consistent with a joint motion between parties.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities as there was no objective medical evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, headaches, and insomnia were denied service connection. However, a left trapezius muscle strain was granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and denied increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden, and he is not confined to his home by the service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cervical osteoarthritis.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected thoracic and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a separate compensable rating for left upper extremity neurological impairment. The Board also denied entitlement to a TDIU.

The veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a neck disability was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The veteran's claim for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant was denied because the evidence did not show that he had loss or loss of use of at least one lower extremity, which is required to establish entitlement.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and extent of the veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to service or service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The veteran's claims to reopen service connection for multiple sclerosis, cervical strain, and low back strain were denied as new and material evidence was not received.