Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for acid reflux and ulcerative colitis/inflammatory bowel disease are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there was no probative evidence to show a medical link between the current claimed disabilities and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as they are related to service-connected right shoulder disability. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were granted service connection. However, the increased ratings for his cervical spine disability prior to January 25, 2020, are granted with a 20% rating, while those from that date onwards are denied. The Veteran's radiculopathy issues remain under review.

The Veteran is granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 10, 2014 to September 25, 2016. Prior to this date, the Veteran worked full-time and has not been found unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, left arm neurological disorder, and left facial neurological disorder. Service connection was also denied for a heart disability.,There is no evidence of any chronic condition in service or within one year following discharge from service that could be presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, paranoid schizophrenia, and cervical disc disease. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD, cervical muscle spasm, and cervical facet joint syndrome with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. A 50 percent rating is granted for tension type headaches since September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus entitling him to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC based on being housebound is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC by reason of aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, BPH, sleep apnea, and several other conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and neck disability due to incomplete range of motion testing in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The appeal for PTSD is dismissed. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to comply with prior instructions and obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service eating habits and is more likely due to a pre-existing condition. The cervical spine disability was also denied as it did not show an increase in severity during active duty.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied because there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during the Veteran's ACDUTRA, and her current condition is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for back and neck disabilities remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck disability. The claim will be further developed and a new opinion is required.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to September 4, 2015. A 100 percent rating has been granted from September 4, 2015 to September 25, 2018.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, hip, and shoulder disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Veteran's brachial plexus injury is not worsening and his symptoms are associated with cervical radiculopathy, which is unrelated to the service-connected condition. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for brachial plexus stretch injury secondary to fall is denied.