Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's cervical spine disability and remanded the service connection issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for frostbite of the toes and fingers, bilaterally, with cold sensitivity and neuropathy as incurred in active service. Additionally, a 10 percent evaluation is assigned for cervical strain.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits due to his ability to leave his home and perform basic self-care activities.

The Board has denied service connection for right knee disability and PTSD. Service connection was granted for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective August 28, 2000. The previous rating prior to this date has been confirmed.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective June 2, 1995. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating from the same date. The dorsal spine and right knee disabilities are both rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's cervical disc disease is rated at 10 percent from June 13, 2000, and at 20 percent from May 13, 2000. The right ankle disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The right shoulder arthritis is rated at 10 percent from June 13, 1996, and at 20 percent from June 24, 2000.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for his cervical spine disorder, bilateral compartment syndrome, recurrent knee strains, chronic ankle strain, and right ankle fracture. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show a change in severity warranting higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for duodenal ulcer secondary to service-connected depression and assigned a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disorder was denied, and the original denial of service connection for his low back disorder remains final.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, was denied due to lack of well-grounded evidence.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has completed a vocational rehabilitation program and is currently employed. Therefore, his claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for generalized arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that it is a result of the same systemic disease process as arthritis of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine.

The veteran's claim for service connection for optic neuritis is denied, but his claim for a compensable rating for spondylitic changes in the cervical spine at C2-3 is granted. The case is remanded to schedule a travel Board hearing.

The veteran's cervical spondylosis is rated at 20 percent disabling, the lumbar myofascial injury with disc narrowing at 40 percent disabling, and the psychophysiological gastrointestinal reaction at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a neck disability.

The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, including arthritis and disc disease, is currently manifested by moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with radiation to the left shoulder. The disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back disorder, thoracic spine strain, and cervical spine strain due to lack of competent evidence showing a current disability related to service.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is determined to be a result of his fall during VA hospitalization in January 1978, and the Board finds that this meets the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.