Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The VA has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's thoracolumbar strain, but denied claims of service connection for cervical spine and tailbone disorders.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's paracervical strain disability, finding that the evidence did not show moderate limitation of motion or moderate intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues being inextricably intertwined and because of changes in the law regarding veterans' claims assistance. The RO must ensure all notification and development action required by the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 is completed.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right shoulder disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, based on severe limitation of motion with pain.

The veteran's multiple nonservice-connected disabilities, including postoperative lumbar laminectomy, depressive disorder, and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran's initial claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical and thoracic spine disabilities were granted, with effective dates back to August 1996.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes was denied because he failed to appear for VA examinations scheduled in December 1998 and April 2000, and there is no evidence of record showing that his disabilities render him permanently and totally disabled.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and right eye disorder, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck disability. The case is now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The veteran's left knee disability is found to be due to his service-connected left hip disability, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to new legal requirements and the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for the veteran's back disorder, which is linked to an injury sustained during military service in November 1955.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent, as his condition is currently treated with dietary restrictions and oral hypoglycemic agents without requiring insulin or regulation of activities.

The Board has denied the veteran's application for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of evidence showing service-connected disability that meets the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back, cervical spine (neck), and gastrointestinal disabilities based on evidence showing these conditions started during the veteran's military service.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of his right foot due to service-connected low back disability. The TDIU claim is pending as further evaluation is needed to determine if the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable without considering non-service connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The appellant's statements regarding her injuries in service are considered significant enough to warrant a review of these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's attempt to reopen his claim for service connection for low back and neck disorders, finding that no new and material evidence had been presented.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 20 percent for the lumbar spine or 10 percent for the cervical spine.