Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's cervical spine injuries, including whether they are related to service. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, and degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine. The claims for hearing loss, chronic pain syndrome, sinusitis, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and a right foot disorder were denied.

The Board has granted a waiver of recovery of the overpayment of VA improved death pension benefits in the amount of $3,569.00 due to severe financial hardship and reliance on SSA benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right great toenail disorder, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder bursitis are related to his military service. The injuries occurred during active duty training in May 1990.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis, as well as his claim for an extension of a temporary total rating based on a period of convalescence beyond November 30, 1997. The appeals were not about service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, and shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his active duty.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder and temporomandibular joint syndrome, finding that new evidence supports these claims. However, the decision does not specify whether service connection is granted or denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint/disc disease of the cervical spine and a compensable evaluation for nasal septum deviation, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing their onset during or within one year after service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disorders were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability, thus denying the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for certain conditions due to an undiagnosed illness, including cervical strain, migraine headaches, periodontal disease (bleeding gums), respiratory condition, memory loss, problems with bowel movements, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is denied for other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for paravertebral muscle spasm of the cervical spine and subpatellar chondromalacia of the right knee with probable bursitis. The veteran is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his cervical spine condition, effective from September 10, 1996, and a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee condition as of that date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder pain and upper back pain have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned in each case. The claim for noncompensable tinea pedis remains denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-service connected disabilities necessitate regular aid and attendance, allowing for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic neck disability, and cardiovascular disease including CAD, ASHD, and hypertension. The evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of current diagnoses or a link between the claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine, status post fusion, effective from June 2, 1992. The other issues were not addressed as they are related to different conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left hip disorder. The veteran's postoperative residuals of the left shoulder, hypertension, and prostatitis have been rated as appropriate.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and fibromyalgia, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated during active duty for training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine and right knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The veteran's service-connected orthopedic disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and his cervical and thoracic spine disabilities are each rated at 30 and 10 percent respectively. The RO has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.