Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's left upper extremity median nerve neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they more closely approximate a 20 percent rating for moderate incomplete paralysis. The TDIU claim is referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to assess the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, and outstanding records are requested.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to a lack of continuity in medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 3, 2015 is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities and remands for further examination on issues of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities were denied, as no earlier effective date can be assigned due to the finality of a previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathies are now rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,No earlier effective dates were granted for any of the issues on appeal.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for cervical spine DJD, sciatic nerve radiculopathy, anterior crural nerve radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder to their prior levels from December 23, 2015.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with associated Erectile Dysfunction and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Residuals were restored to their previous levels of 70 percent and 40 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been reopened and is being remanded to determine the validity of the reported stressors.,The Veteran's claim for a left knee disability has been reopened and is being remanded to attempt to corroborate the reported stressor.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, but he is entitled to TDIU benefits effective November 22, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's exposure to noise during active duty service is sufficient evidence of in-service injury. However, service connection for a neck disability was denied due to the Veteran's own willful misconduct resulting from alcohol consumption.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a neck disability, as it is insufficiently addressed in the previous medical opinions. The Veteran's lay reports of continuous symptoms since discharge are not considered by the examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for insomnia as a symptom of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board has also remanded this issue.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.,Service connection was denied for cervical, low back, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran did not have TBI or a vision problem at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating from July 9, 2019. The previous ratings of 20 and 10 percent were maintained prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his right shoulder recurrent dislocations and chronic cervical strain.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted, while his sleep apnea claim is denied. The right and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome claims are remanded for further development.