Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder and a 20 percent evaluation for cervical strain, finding that the appellant's symptoms are indicative of moderate impairment.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is well grounded, and the RO has assigned nonservice-connected ratings of 10 percent for various conditions. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for neck disability, loss of teeth, and prostate disorder, finding that there was no well-grounded claim for any of these issues.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the appellant's cervical spine and duodenal ulcer conditions, but granted a 10 percent evaluation for his degenerative disc disease with traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine. The claim to reopen service connection for lumbar spine disorder was also denied.

The Board has found that the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders, to include degenerative disc disease as secondary to the service-connected low back injury status post L4 to S1 laminectomy and fusion are well grounded. The veteran is entitled to a 20% disability evaluation for his low back injury.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and Major Depression, as well as his claim for Generalized Joint Pain due to an undiagnosed illness during service in SWATO, is well grounded. The evidence supports a finding of a nexus between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder due to lack of proper procedural steps.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for defective hearing in the left ear and a rating higher than 20 percent for cervical sprain with bilateral facet arthropathy at C5-C6, finding no current disability for hearing loss and that the existing disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, headaches, and a liver disorder as secondary to Gulf War exposure. The veteran was not granted any disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected neck injury with degenerative joint disease, status post cervical fusion and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's asthma, allergic skin reaction, seizure disorder, prostate disorder, kidney disorder, sore glands, uvulectomy (throat operation), stomach disorder, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder are all service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 30 percent for residuals of a cervical spine injury, finding that the evidence did not show significant disability warranting a higher rating.

The veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied. The TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude all kinds of substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The case remains on appeal.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in an employment handicap, meeting the criteria for Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder and ratings in excess of the current 20 percent for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as sinusitis/allergic rhinitis. The veteran's conditions are currently rated based on their severity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder, previously evaluated as chronic tendonitis, right shoulder and neck, myalgia, warrants a 10 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for alopecia areata and a cervical spine disorder, both of which were found to be incurred during active duty.

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

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability. The reopened claim is well grounded, meaning it has sufficient merit to warrant further consideration.