Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent effective July 17, 2017. Prior to that date, the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for chronic fatigue syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, vertigo and dizziness, tinnitus, acoustic neuroma tumor in the left internal auditory canal, and neck disability. The right foot disability claim was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of decision. The Board also grants TDIU beginning January 30, 2014, but remands the issue of TDIU prior to that date on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service. The claims were based on direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure or other theories.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar, cervical, and right arm disabilities due to inadequate examinations that did not address causation or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, headaches, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, bronchiectasis, kidney cyst, and erectile dysfunction. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations to address the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia and exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions result in loss of use of both lower extremities, requiring her to rely on a walker or wheelchair for mobility. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including cervical spine disability, radiculopathy pain, diabetes mellitus type II, and ankle disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide additional medical records for consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to a lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns regarding the adequacy of VA medical opinions and the need for further consideration of certain exposures.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings in several areas, including cervical spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorders, lumbar spine disabilities, and radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities are dismissed. The Veteran’s appeal for TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was reopened and granted. The effective date of the grant is set at May 24, 2017.

New and material evidence has been added to the record for a cervical spine disability claim. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be causing his migraine headaches.,The Veteran's jaw disability claim is denied as no new or material evidence was submitted. No current diagnosis of a jaw disability was found in the records.,A TDIU request for the period prior to June 1, 2016 is moot due to the Veteran receiving a 100% evaluation for his service-connected PTSD beginning on that date.,The Veteran's skin condition claim is remanded as VA has not yet determined if it is related to Agent Orange exposure or an in-service injury.,A cervical spine disability claim is remanded as VA needs to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck pain, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or a burn pit injury.,The Veteran's skin condition claim is remanded for similar reasons.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left knee disabilities have been granted service connection.,His bilateral hearing loss has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claim for a neck disability due to errors in the grounds of an October 2015 VA examiner's opinion. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain additional records and provide a new medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension. The cases of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the initial denial in 1994.