Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board finds that the veteran's status post C4-5 cervical diskectomy is manifested by moderate symptoms, with recurring attacks and grants a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine at C5-C6, claimed as nerve problems in the neck is denied due to lack of evidence establishing a link between the disability and service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his cervical spine disability and PTSD have been granted, with the cervical spine claim receiving a 40% evaluation effective December 30, 1996.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this case.

The Board found that the veteran's nonservice-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes due to their combined effect on his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded both issues for additional development, including obtaining records from VA Medical Centers and scheduling a hearing. The appeal is now pending again.

The Board has determined that the veteran's congenital cervical and thoracic scoliosis is not a disease or injury, but rather a congenital defect. There was no superimposed disease or injury in service, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic-scapular strain and cervical spine symptomatology, effective from December 5, 1992. The veteran's claim was filed within one year of his separation from active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's service connection claims for her claimed disabilities were not well grounded due to a lack of verified in-service injury and duty status.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability. The RO must ensure that all notification and development action required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is completed, including reviewing the claims file to ensure compliance with the new law.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine injury residuals, and right ankle fracture. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that a VA examination and opinion are required to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims for service connection for optic neuritis and for an increased rating for cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to allow for these actions.

The Board finds that the veteran's current cervical spondylosis is related to his service injury in October 1968, resolving the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to non-service-connected disabilities, including cervical spondylosis with disc herniation at C5-C6, mood disorder, hypertension, flexion deformity of the right fifth finger, symptoms related to back pain, and gastrointestinal disorder. The combined evaluation meets the schedular criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine and shoulder arthritis were not incurred or aggravated during service, and denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation effective July 23, 1993. The right femur fracture residuals were also granted a 10% evaluation effective the same date.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected low back and cervical spine disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and ensuring compliance with notification requirements under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder and neck, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his in-service burns or any other service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine. Service connection was denied for any current eye disorder other than refractive error.