Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have cervical spine arthritis/spondylosis that is related to his military service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, rated as 10 percent disabling, was found to be productive of mild limitation of motion without additional functional loss. The current rating is appropriate for the period from March 9, 1998, through September 26, 2004.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine disorder in service or within one year thereafter, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disorders. However, the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board found that the reduction in rating from 100% to a combined rating of 80% was proper, and thus denied restoration of the original 100% rating. Special monthly compensation for the period from January 1, 2003 to April 12, 2003 was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-traumatic degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine had its origins during service, granting the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine problems, including arthritis and possible thoracic outlet syndrome, were incurred in service or are related to his service-connected disabilities.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical and thoracic strain with spurring of the thoracic spine, currently rated at 10 percent, and lumbosacral strain, currently rated at 20 percent. The VA found that the veteran's conditions were not service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for depression, a heart murmur, and a left elbow disability. The appeals for headaches, ulcers, neck disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were also denied.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 60 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The veteran's left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5203, but not meeting criteria for an increased rating.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for intervertebral disc disease of the cervical spine was denied. The effective date earlier than November 12, 1999 for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc disease of the cervical spine was also denied.

The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding the veteran's ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen them.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied increased ratings for right femur and tibia and fibula fracture residuals, finding no medical relationship between the disabilities and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and assigned a 20 percent disability rating. The veteran's current cervical disc disease is related to his injury in service, but it was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, effective from January 8, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical whiplash injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition and concluding that any current cervical spine disorder is not related to service.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease, effective from October 25, 2001. The claims for service connection of left and right shoulder disabilities were also granted.