Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition and found that the initial 20% rating assigned for his chronic lumbar strain with thoracolumbar scoliosis was appropriate.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, and his headaches due to cervical spine disability warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the RO. The issues include service connection for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is not well grounded. The evidence does not establish a relationship between any neck pains experienced during active service and his current condition.

The veteran's postoperative chronic cervical strain with C5-6 herniation is currently manifested by normal configuration of the cervical spine, mild paraspinous muscle spasm, tenderness, and persistent reports of pain. The Board has determined that a 40 percent evaluation is warranted based on severe recurring attacks of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia of the patella of the left knee and residuals of a back injury with cervical and lumbar myalgias, finding that the current evidence did not support higher ratings based on the degree of limitation of motion or instability.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD or bronchitis, secondary to tobacco use and awarded a 100 percent disability rating effective September 27, 1990. The veteran is now eligible for payment of attorney fees from past-due benefits.

The VA has granted increased ratings for the veteran's thoracic, lumbar, and cervical spine arthritis disabilities. The current ratings are 10 percent for thoracic spine arthritis, 20 percent each for lumbar and cervical spine arthritis.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals of surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the cervical spine with osteoarthritis and upper extremity radiculopathy, effective February 26, 1993. The veteran's claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted since March 1, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied compensable ratings for post-operative residuals of a right major elbow injury, residuals of a right major shoulder injury, and residuals of a right foot injury. The claim for a compensable rating for the right scrotum and testis was also denied.

The veteran withdrew his appeal of the issues related to increased ratings for his right knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for post operative traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The decision is being reviewed on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper and lower extremities are maintained at 20 percent each.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.,His degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spine has been evaluated at 20 percent since April 1, 1985. A separate evaluation for a compression fracture with demonstrable deformity of T8-9 is also in effect.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations in excess of 20 percent for post-traumatic neck strain and recurrent low back pain, with a history of coccyx injury.

The VA determined that the veteran's current disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is appropriate at 20 percent.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current cervical spine disorder to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for an extension of her delimiting date for Chapter 32 educational assistance was denied as there is no additional medical evidence showing that the disability prevented her from pursuing education during the relevant time period.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of multiple joints with bilateral total knee replacement contributed substantially to cause his death.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The RO is instructed to secure all relevant VA treatment records and National Guard service records before proceeding with the evaluation of his claims.