Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use is denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and theories of entitlement, including for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), neck disability, and back disability. The Veteran's ED is being examined in relation to his service-connected psychiatric disability, back disability, and neck disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar spine disability aggravates his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper extremities radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and right knee disabilities were granted with a combined evaluation of 100 percent effective December 26, 2012. The appellant applied for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 on the same date and was found eligible based on her eligibility as a child of a Veteran with permanent total disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete SSA records and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered and the claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for a thorough review of all submitted records, including translated Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered in light of new information.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic residuals of pneumonia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, head injury, and cervical strain due to incomplete documentation in the Veteran's notice of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability, lupus, and heart disability. The left knee disability claim is also being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service injuries. However, service connection was denied for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides and no showing of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability and cervical spine disability, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The TDIU claim prior to January 11, 2018 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of favorable ankylosis or forward flexion less than 15 degrees, and thus, no increased rating was granted. Service connection for sleep disorder and acquired psychiatric disorders (including major depressive disorder) are remanded due to lack of current diagnoses. Service connection for low back pain is also remanded. The Veteran's alcohol use disorder claim is remanded as well.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of cervical spine loss of disc space height and degenerative disc disease with arthritis (claimed as osteoporosis).

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus type II, neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, and glaucoma.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions as there is no evidence showing they began during or are otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, cervical strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him. The Board granted entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis pursuant to 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(b).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disabilities, a back disability, and a neck disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition and that any current disability is not related to service or service-connected conditions.