Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence to support the veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of a right ankle sprain. The veteran's complaints have not been confirmed by current medical findings.

The Board has granted higher ratings of 60 percent for the lumbosacral spine disability and 20 percent rating for the cervical spine disability, both effective June 27, 2002.

The veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected neck and right shoulder disabilities. The RO has not considered the neurologic component of these disabilities in adjudicating the current rating assignments, so further development, including an examination to clarify all symptoms and determine which are related to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, is warranted.

Service connection was not granted for diverticulosis and residuals of colon polypectomy or degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as they were not shown to have been incurred in service. Service connection was also denied for left ulnar neuritis and hemorrhoids.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of injuries to the cervical spine, back, and left leg due to lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disorder and degenerative changes of the cervical spine are related to service, with no other basis for connection provided.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to November 4, 1999 for increased evaluations of his service-connected migraine and muscle tension headaches, as well as a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current headache disability is a residual of an inservice injury and grants service connection for headaches. The depression claim is denied as there is no evidence to support a diagnosis or etiology related to service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that the current conditions are not related to any disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The veteran was granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective from August 3, 2002. The appeal is about establishing the appropriate effective date for this award.

The veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine is presumed to have been incurred in service, while his degenerative changes of the lumbar spine are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's psoriatic arthritis and lumbosacral strain with herniated nucleus pulposus are rated at the maximum disability levels based on their severity.

The Board denied reopening the claim for a left knee disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for cervical spine arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and restrictive airway disease, but assigned effective dates of December 3, 1992, and April 11, 1996, respectively. The veteran appealed these effective dates, seeking earlier ones.

The Board found no credible evidence of a chronic neck or low back disorder in service, and denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that no new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral knees (claimed as back and bilateral knee disability), and psoriasis. The RO previously denied these claims in January 1998 without a timely appeal.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at a combined 70 percent, and he is granted entitlement to a total compensation rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, which is considered adequate to reflect their current severity.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound, finding that his medical condition does not meet the criteria due to lack of a single permanent disability rated 100% disabling and substantial confinement.