Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine arthritis and bilateral shoulder arthritis are related, with the latter aggravating the former. The April 1997 rating decision for arthritis of the shoulders was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder affecting both arms and hands, as secondary to his service-connected cervical herniated disc at C5-6. The claim for an increased rating for his cervical herniated disc was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a cervical spine disorder is not well grounded, as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition and no evidence supporting the assertion that it is related to his service-connected right shoulder injury.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The RO will schedule the veteran for additional examinations and consider his claims again.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cerebral concussion with headaches, a residual SFW scar on the scalp, and cervical arthritis were not well-grounded. The VA found no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service discharge.

The VA determined that the appellant's nonservice-connected disabilities do not combine to render him unemployable, and thus denied his claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, including a fracture and scars. The evidence submitted since 1986 did not provide new or material information to support the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his service-connected left elbow disability and thus denied the claim.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted, including medical records from his private physician and VA examinations. The claims are well-grounded as there is sufficient evidence to suggest a link between the veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple joint pain, including cervical spine and right knee pain, is attributable to service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, cervical spine arthritis, and thoracic spine arthritis were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals denied the reopening of the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain due to lack of new and material evidence, maintaining the previous denial.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and a rating in excess of 10 percent for hemorrhoids. The claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (PTSD) is pending.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder were not well-grounded due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection are not well-grounded, and thus denied.

The veteran's disabilities, including post-traumatic encephalopathy with major motor seizures and schizophrenia, prevent him from achieving a vocational goal due to his history of chronic unemployment.

The Board denied service connection for a gynecological disorder (cervical dysplasia) and gastrointestinal disorder. Service connection was granted for pronator teres syndrome of the major arm with an initial evaluation of 30 percent.