Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's post-traumatic headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective August 8, 1995. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tingling and numbness of the legs is granted. The veteran's cervical spine disability remains service-connected with a 60 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left shoulder disorder, GERD, deviated septum, and cervical spine disorder. The current evaluations of 10%, 10%, 0%, and 20% respectively are maintained.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine arthritis, hemorrhoids, and hallux rigidus with post-traumatic arthritis due to fracture of the right great toe proximal interphalangeal joint are denied. The current evaluations assigned do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed sinusitis and arthritis of shoulders, wrists, hips, cervical spine, and thoracic spine are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had their onset during service or are causally related to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and lumbar disc disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for the appellant's cervical adenitis disability, finding no evidence of any manifestations or residuals since 1954.

The Board found that the veteran's current neck and cervical spine disorder is not causally related to an incident of his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disease, heart disease, impotency, neck disability, and joint disability as secondary to exposure to Agent Orange.

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.