Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder tenosynovitis, and left knee/tenosynovitis disabilities are rated at the maximum schedular ratings. The psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition and a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active-duty service and have continued since.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his left knee disability and granted entitlement to TDIU based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis and cervical spine degenerative disc disease have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical records and inconsistencies in diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for erectile dysfunction, neck disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, low back, right knee, left knee, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction. The reasons include a need to obtain additional evidence from the Veteran and his treating physicians, as well as an examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and the Board dismissed this issue as there was no longer an active claim. The Veteran also did not qualify for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of qualifying disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted. The Board also remanded three issues: right wrist disability, right knee injury residuals, and right knee subluxation and instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with bathing, toileting, dressing, managing medication, eating, preparing food, and shaving.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of SMC was denied as he does not meet the criteria for any of the available rates under VA regulations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as neck herniated discs, is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded for a new examination to assess current severity and functional impact. His stomach and kidney conditions are also remanded for examinations and opinions.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to October 1, 2013, and granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon the need for aid and attendance (A&A).

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for migraine headaches due to a finding of service connection in September 2023. The issues of new and material evidence for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and TBI residuals, cervical spine disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, recurrent sleep disability, heart disability, hypertension, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to October 10, 2018, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disorders, both claimed as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis. The case will be returned to the RO for further development.

The appeal of the cervical strain claim is dismissed as a complete grant was made in March 2024.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis, bilateral hearing loss, right elbow tendinitis, and left elbow tendinitis remains denied.