Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical hyperextension injury with psychogenic pain disorder, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for cervical spine disability and a 10 percent evaluation for lumbosacral strain, effective from June 9, 2002. The veteran's cervical spine disability was initially characterized as cervical strain but is now rated based on the criteria for severe limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as his current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for defective hearing in the right ear, arthritis of the knees, arthritis of the neck (cervical spine), residuals of left shoulder injury with degenerative arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and nummular eczema.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including traumatic arthritis of the acromioclavicular joints bilaterally, traumatic arthritis of the left shoulder joint, a fracture, nonunited, of the spinous process of C6 vertebra, and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, mainly C4-5 and C5-6, may not be disassociated from active military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine to his military service, including an August 1972 automobile accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the thoracic spine and spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease, is related to his service-connected lumbar spine condition and granted service connection for this secondary disability.

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

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, effective from November 1, 1996.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine and shoulders, unspecified disabilities due to gas chamber exposure, mustard gas, tear gas, Agent Orange, radiation exposure, drug experimentation and human experimentation, hypertensive cardiovascular disease (hypertension), lung disability and density, acute situational maladjustment - paranoid personality disorder, and radiation colitis have been denied. The claims for service connection for headaches were reopened.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, resulting in its denial.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, as well as thoraco-lumbar dextrascoliosis, are residuals of a motor vehicle accident during service. The appeal is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing due to lack of anatomical loss or use of one or both lower extremities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in loss of use of both feet, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss or loss of use of both feet. The veteran is also eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment due to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations for his right wrist disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain have been granted. He is now rated at 20 percent for each of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board had no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board found no evidence of current heart, cervical spine, thoracic spine, or eye disabilities related to service. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.