Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical, dorsal and lumbar spine, hypertension, memory loss and disorientation, vertigo, and diabetes mellitus. The evidence submitted since the last final decision is not new or material.

The Board determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by his active service.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected disabilities and whether he should receive higher levels of special monthly compensation based on the severity of his conditions. The RO has ordered additional VA examinations to assess the current level of impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical condition does not require continuous treatment and therefore, her service-connected cervical cysts do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been denied as she does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to her ability to perform daily activities without significant assistance.

The Board finds that the appellant's claimed spinal, left ankle and TMJ disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and the residuals of a cervical spine injury. The evidence relates these conditions to service, but does not provide clear evidence of their onset or etiology.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities of the cervical and lumbar segments of the spine are related to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with herniated nucleus pulposus, status post laminectomy and diskectomy is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine does not warrant a compensable rating.

The RO denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected hypoparathyroidism and degenerative disc disease with cervical stenosis of the cervical spine.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed because he did not file a timely substantive appeal within the one-year period from December 3, 1997.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before a final decision can be made on the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and increased evaluations for post concussion syndrome with anxiety symptoms and history of headaches and dizziness, as well as bilateral varicose veins. The Board found no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the service connection for cervical cancer and an increased rating for mixed migraine and tension headaches were not established. The Board found that there is no evidence of current or past cervical cancer, and the veteran's headaches are responsive to medication.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and temporary total convalescent ratings have been denied by the RO. The case is being remanded to allow for additional development.

The VA has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for DDD and DJD of the cervical spine, effective May 3, 1998. The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for DJD of the lumbosacral spine is denied.

The veteran's carcinoma of the tongue and metastatic squamous cell cancer of cervical nodes were not shown to be related to service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,Peripheral neuropathy was not shown to be related to service or due to exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a compensable evaluation for lumbosacral strain due to lack of new and material evidence, and because there is no clear medical opinion linking current low back symptoms to military service.

The veteran's disabilities, including respiratory impairment and lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, do not meet the basic disability percentage requirements for VA pension benefits due to his employment status.