Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for hearing loss and cervical spine disorder, as well as service connection claims for right and left knee disorders, were denied. The rating for the cervical spine was granted at a 20 percent level effective September 1, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sickle cell trait with bleeding and migraines, sleep apnea (Gulf War exposure), erectile dysfunction (secondary to hernia and medications), degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, allergic rhinitis, and inguinal hernia. The Veteran is also requested to provide a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot because he has already been receiving a 100% rating for his service-connected bilateral progressive cone dystrophy and other disabilities, which qualifies him for special monthly compensation (SMC) under Section 1114(p). An award of TDIU would not provide the Veteran with additional SMC benefits.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA-contracted medical opinions did not provide adequate rationale regarding whether these conditions were aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, allergic rhinitis, and several other conditions are granted service connection. Service connection is also remanded for low back, cervical spine, right knee, gastrointestinal, and hypertension disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar paravertebral myositis, degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, and other musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain and chronic right knee strain prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical strain is related to her service-connected right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ before a decision is made.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that it was caused by an in-service event.

Service connection is denied for tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and back disorder.,The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The hypertension with renal insufficiency and cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spur formation were both found to not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination to address his claims.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased rating of cervical strain, which was previously granted with a 20% disability rating effective September 30, 2015. The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his case.

The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is dismissed. Headaches are not productive of prostrating attacks and do not warrant a compensable rating. Service connection for left knee strain and right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or related to service. The Veteran's current right knee disability is remanded due to the lack of a diagnosis in the medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 5, 2015, for the grant of service connection for cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities are not service connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The right hand/wrist disorder is also not service connected due to lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical, lumbar, thoracic spine disabilities and a right hip disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims are not yet decided.