Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and cervical spine disorders are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied both claims.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of GERD and duodenal ulcer disease was denied. The issue regarding the reopening of a neck injury with headaches claim is also denied, as new evidence does not establish that his current condition is related to service. Service connection for PTSD has been granted but an earlier effective date remains pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. Service connection has been established for neck disability, back disability, bilateral knee and leg disabilities, pes planus, and hearing loss. Increased ratings have been assigned for hypertension and skin disorders.

The Board found that the RO's October 1991 rating decision did not commit clear and unmistakable error in establishing service connection for right superficial parotidectomy residuals. The veteran's claims of entitlement to increased evaluations for hypothyroidism, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic left shoulder disability, chronic neck disability, multiple joint arthritic disability, and the loss of the sense of smell were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and residuals of a left shoulder injury are not well grounded. The claim for a cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service, while the claim for residuals of a left shoulder injury remains pending but was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran's gynecological disorder and cervical dysplasia are not well-grounded claims as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service, and the endometriosis diagnosed in 1997 is not related to her service-connected cervical dysplasia.

The Board finds that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left arm and degenerative changes in the cervical spine are related to service, with resolution of all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria of having a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent together with separate service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent, nor is his permanent housebound status due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for low back, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities are not well-grounded. The claim for increased rating for hysterical neurosis, conversion type is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right tympanic membrane perforation and cervical myalgia with upper trapezius spasticity, finding no evidence of a well-grounded claim. The increased rating claim for symptomatic dermographism was also denied.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is denied due to his inability to perform activities of daily living and his ability to travel away from his home.

The veteran's disabilities, including his psychiatric disorder and COPD, are rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The RO found that his alcohol abuse was due to willful misconduct and thus not compensable.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, and a separate 10 percent rating for right shoulder impairment is granted. Service connection for low back and left shoulder disorders is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a 20 percent evaluation, which is in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirement for a total rating due to unemployability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no current evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for secondary service connection for a psychiatric disorder was also denied as it is not legally sufficient.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim of service connection for a disability affecting his neck, shoulders, upper arms and hands is well-grounded. The evidence supports a finding that the veteran's current condition may have had its onset during his period of military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but it remains unclear whether the veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The left foot fracture residuals are currently asymptomatic, the cervical spine disability warrants a 10% evaluation, and the right elbow condition prior to October 21, 1996 is not compensable.