Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has reduced the Veteran's cervical spine evaluation from 30 percent to 20 percent, finding that her forward flexion improved to 30 degrees. The reduction was proper as it did not affect her overall compensation and there is no evidence of an actual change in disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to self-sustain in the community due to his dementia and other medical conditions, granting a Level 2 stipend in the PCAFC program.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, effective March 1, 2021, finding that there was no sustained improvement in the severity of her condition.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of the claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, which is now granted.

The Veteran's appeal for hypertension was withdrawn by the Veteran before a decision could be made. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back disorder, and cervical spine disorder claims are remanded due to conflicting diagnoses and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance to keep him ordinarily clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC A&A.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, congestive heart failure, type II diabetes mellitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy have been granted service connection, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 40% rating for his right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the effective dates sought are not earlier than October 5, 2021.,For issues related to service connection, the earliest date of entitlement is considered to be October 5, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease. His rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease is increased to 40 percent effective December 17, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical strain with right upper extremity radiculopathy, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left wrist sprain are all granted. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum disability rating for his left wrist sprain.

The Board has found that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the claims on appeal due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete service treatment records have not been associated with the file, and VA must again attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various orthopedic disabilities should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The claims will now include medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay contentions about his in-service pain and duties.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a left knee disability. The appeal regarding initial compensable evaluation for musculoskeletal headaches is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Alzheimer's disease, degenerative disease of the cervical spine, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, while his right eye disorder and tinnitus are denied. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders have been remanded for further review.

Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease and spondylosis of the cervical and cervicothoracic regions, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of right leg, left radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, right radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, posttraumatic residuals right 2nd finger, and headaches (claimed as cervicothoracic spine pain).,Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency with dyspnea, chronic maculopapular dermatitis, and heart disorder.