Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for left hand, right elbow, left wrist, and right wrist disorders, as well as lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders. The VA examiners found no evidence of these conditions in service or during the separation examination.,Service connection was not established because there is no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the inability to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and require care on a regular basis due to his cognitive impairments. SMC based on need for regular A&A of another person is granted. The temporary total rating based on treatment for a service connected condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for VA examinations to address the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 6260.,Sleep apnea requires a CPAP machine but does not meet the criteria for a higher than 50 percent rating as there are no symptoms warranting such a high level of disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and OSA secondary to PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's neck disability is related to or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been rated based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her back disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has also been rated based on limitation of motion. She is not entitled to a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service connected bilateral knee disabilities and cervical spine, as well as his claim of entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate rationale in the previous decision and incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is assigned a 70% rating effective March 9, 2017. Claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as TDIU, are dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to October 28, 2016, and in excess of 40 percent from that date, for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc syndrome. The claim for service connection was denied due to lack of evidence showing the onset or aggravation of a cervical spine disability during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on their combined rating of 80%. However, due to the lack of an examination considering her unemployability due to these conditions, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia, and others, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion due to conflicting medical opinions.,Bilateral hearing loss is also remanded for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims.,A rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches was denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as the previous VA examination was inadequate and does not address secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, but the Veteran did not attend the scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent prior to October 18, 2018. From that date forward, the rating is denied as his condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The effective date for the PTSD rating is set at September 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine disability has been granted. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.