Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted.,For the entire initial rating period, a 30 percent rating for cervical disc disease is granted.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective August 10, 2022. The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the service-connected prostate cancer alone grants a 100% schedular rating and special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as low back and neck disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination for the claimed low back disability and neck disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion and clarifying the Veteran's claims. The issues of service connection for various conditions are also pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and lack of ankylosis.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is related to his military service.,The Veteran's neck disability is related to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his military service.,The Veteran's low back disability is aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 21, 2021 for the grant of service connection for chronic ulnar mononeuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for TDIU prior to January 21, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety, depressed mood and somatic disorder is granted a 30 percent rating effective March 21, 2019. The cervical strain condition remains at a 30 percent rating since that date. Service connection for posttraumatic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is also granted.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as for a cervical spine disability. The claim for an increased rating to 50 percent for PTSD and depression is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that these conditions were incurred in line of duty during his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for RLE radiculopathy but denied service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are considered in approximate balance, leading to the grant of service connection for RLE radiculopathy.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, thus the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, right eye, and headaches disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hand disabilities as these conditions are found to be related to his time as a boxer in military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, and left hip disability are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded four issues: initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches, cervical strain, and thoracolumbar strain; and service connection for benign neoplasm of the skin. The Veteran is to be provided another examination for these claims.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,Service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and herniated disc L3-L4 were both denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.