Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis have been reopened. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination for both conditions, as well as to obtain updated treatment records and determine if a TDIU should be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for a medical opinion regarding the onset of the Veteran's neck disability during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart, cervical spine, and low back conditions due to lack of verification of Thailand service and incomplete development. The cases are sent back for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus due to a lack of current diagnoses within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's request for restoration of the 60 percent rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with herniation at L5-S1, effective July 26, 2016, is granted. The claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder condition, right shoulder arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently being reviewed.

The Veteran's hypertension has been rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more during the appeal period. Therefore, a higher rating for hypertension is denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and left upper extremity have been remanded as there are no VA examinations addressing these conditions since July 2020.,The Veteran's cervical myositis with cervical spine degenerative disc disease has also been remanded for a new examination to determine the severity of his disability, including range of motion testing.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that it was not causally related to his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology in service and post-service. Additionally, a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to active service. Finally, an opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to need the regular aid and assistance of another person, which has been granted for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasoning in a previous medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome. The case is now pending for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to assess her GERD with gastritis and neck disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, bilateral foot, and left heel bone spur disabilities. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating prior to August 16, 2022 for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical strain, and neurological disability (including TBI and/or non-combat related concussion) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee condition was denied. The rating for cervical fracture of C4-5 status post fusion remains at 30 percent, and the ratings for right upper extremity and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy were adjusted based on new findings from November 2018 VA examination. The Veteran's duodenal ulcer condition was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and back conditions, as well as sciatic nerve conditions of the lower extremities, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, left hip, right hip, left ankle, and duodenitis.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for a neck disability, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for status post lateral meniscus tear of the right knee with degenerative arthritis, and a compensable disability rating for erectile dysfunction.