Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The veteran's lumbar spine disability, organic mental disorder, left seventh cranial nerve disability, loss of sense of smell, and head, neck and facial scars are all currently rated at their maximum levels. The cervical spine disability with limitation of motion is granted a 20% rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to a service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied as there was no evidence of unemployability prior to May 2, 1996.

The veteran's cervical myelopathy is determined to be the result of a March 1996 tetanus injection administered by VA, and compensation benefits are granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with traumatic degenerative joint disease and cervical strain with traumatic degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for degenerative changes of the cervical spine, effective from when this decision is issued. The left shoulder bursitis and right shoulder bursitis have been rated as noncompensable due to lack of limitation of motion or x-ray evidence of arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a current cervical spine disability and denied service connection for the veteran's claimed residuals of a cervical spine injury. For his bilateral hearing loss, while the veteran engaged in combat with the enemy during service, there is no evidence showing that he has a current hearing loss disability as defined by VA standards.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic cervical musculoskeletal disorder or compensable arthritis of the neck within one year following separation from service. The psychiatric and sleeplessness claims were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support secondary service connection.

The VA has determined that your service-connected cervical spine disability, characterized by degenerative changes and limited motion, warrants a 30 percent evaluation.

The veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 7, 1998 for the grant of service connection for cervical and thoracic spondylosis is denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 19, 2001 for the award of a 100% disability rating for PTSD. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine was also granted.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders were denied. The claim of service connection for mycoplasma fermentans was not addressed due to the nature of the appeal.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, currently rated at 30 percent, is found to produce impairment that approximates severe limitation of motion. The current rating is deemed appropriate.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of well-groundedness, and also denied her service connection claim.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including consideration of specific provisions related to vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as other issues.

The Board has decided that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.