Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted higher initial ratings for the veteran's service-connected PTSD, cervical spondylosis, and status post craniotomy for cerebellar hemangioblastoma with post-surgical headaches and cervical spasm.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions have been granted, with the highest rating of 20 percent assigned for his left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the service-connected cervical spine degenerative changes, effective May 13, 1995. The right shoulder bursitis and bilateral foot bunionectomies are each rated at a separate 10 percent evaluation. Tinea cruris is rated as noncompensable.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating has been granted. The issue of reopening a service connection claim for arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine and both upper extremities remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disabilities due to a lack of new and material evidence. The RO also found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board finds that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including his fusion at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels, is likely due to a fall in service. By extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran, the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence linking the condition to service or any other presumptive basis.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service or the exposure basis provided. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and an initial compensable rating for defective hearing in the left ear. The veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right hand and wrist, as well as a neck disability, both secondary to his service-connected residuals of an injury of the right hand and wrist. The RO had previously granted service connection for these disabilities but did not consider them on a secondary basis.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a cervical spine fracture and status post left scapula fracture with impingement syndrome and limitation of motion, assigning 40 percent evaluations effective July 13, 1993.

The Board finds that the veteran incurred or aggravated degenerative changes of the cervical spine in service and granted service connection for this condition. The veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, so service connection is denied. For low back pain with compression fracture, L3, the evaluation was increased to 20 percent prior to October 15, 2001.

The veteran's service-connected ulcerative colitis and cervical spine condition are both rated at 10 percent, with no other issues addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for his service-connected DJD of both AC joints and lumbar, cervical, and thoracic spine. The RO assigned separate ratings for these conditions.

The Board finds that the appellant's current cervical spine disability is attributable to his period of military service, and therefore grants service connection for the residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine or degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder that was incurred in service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation, as it is manifested by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a spinal condition and a left arm condition, finding that there was no evidence of a pre-existing condition worsening during service or any direct link to service.