Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation. The issues of timely perfection of appeal regarding service-connected left and right knee disorders were also addressed.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a 30 percent evaluation effective October 30, 1995. The veteran's earlier effective date claim was denied as the original claim was filed on October 30, 1995. The Board also found that an increased rating for PTSD is warranted.

The Board found that the veteran does not currently have a chronic acquired disorder of the cervical spine and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased disability evaluation and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records, employment information, and conduct a VA social and industrial survey.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain, cervical spine injury, and fracture of the right little finger were denied by the RO. The RO continued the evaluations at 20%, 30%, and 0% respectively.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic malarial residuals, post-traumatic stress disorder, cervical spine disorders, dorsal (thoracic) spine disorders, left lower extremity disorders, chronic left ankle disorders, and chronic skin disorders. The RO was directed to verify the veteran's periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training with the Georgia Army National Guard and request all available service medical records associated with such duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, status post decompressive laminectomy, warrants a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a 40 percent rating from September 18, 1991. The effective date of this rating is set as September 18, 1991.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, and right knee disabilities as well as an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the right femur.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, as well as left elbow, is granted.

The Board granted increased evaluations for the veteran's cervical spine disability, with a 40% evaluation effective June 19, 2001.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the appellant's service-connected residuals of right ankle fracture and denied his claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and left ankle disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fractured cervical spine warrant an increased evaluation to 30 percent, effective from when his claim was filed.

The veteran's motor vehicle accident injuries, including a cervical cord injury, were found to be the result of willful misconduct and therefore not eligible for pension benefits.

The Board found that the veteran's hypertension did not increase in severity during service and was therefore not aggravated by service. The right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the veteran contends an increase in severity warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability developed during service and is therefore granted service connection.

The VA granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, but denied service connection for a cyst on the right foot. The VA also increased the disability rating for the cervical spine from 10 to 30 percent effective October 1, 1995.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability, left leg disability, and left arm disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability that he contends is related to his service-connected low back disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to changes in the law and will remand the case to the RO.