Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error in obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of April 29, 2008 for the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since April 29, 2008.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a right shoulder disability, neck disability, stroke, headaches, and loss of right arm and hand due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD is rated at 40 percent from February 25, 2020. Service connection for a right elbow disorder and RUE carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted, but service connection for the right elbow disorder secondary to a right shoulder disability was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a neck disability due to inadequate examination and conflicting findings.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim of service connection for hyperlipidemia. Service connection is granted for cervical strain, prostatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for chronic contact dermatitis, degenerative disc disease (claimed as chronic back pain), and readjudication of service connection for neck condition are all granted. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a separate disability or symptom that was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative cervical spondylosis (neck disability) is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to require the aid and attendance of another, effective April 3, 2020. The appeal for SMC based on housebound status is dismissed as moot due to the award of SMC under section 1114(l).

The Veteran's claims for right upper arm nerve pain, left upper arm nerve pain and residuals of cervical corpectomy with discectomy/fusion were granted effective July 19, 2021. The Veteran is now rated at 30% for each condition.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors and remanded the case for further development, including a new examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and left knee medial meniscus tear are each rated at 20 percent. Bilateral knee limitation of extension and flexion are each rated at 10 percent. Hypertension is rated at 10 percent. PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection regarding cervical strain with IVDS, spinal fusion, and spinal stenosis was dismissed because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with laminectomy for spinal stenosis (back disability), cervical strain with degenerative arthritis (neck disability), and right ankle tendinitis (right ankle disability).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, chronic vertigo, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effects of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, bladder disability, and musculoskeletal conditions of the feet, ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and neck, require regular aid and attendance due to his physical incapacity. The Board granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and whether it is aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The appeal for service connection of sinusitis is dismissed. The appeals for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and migraine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction have been denied due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his in-service exposure.,The remaining service connection claims (for bilateral feet, ankles, hip, wrist, cervical spine, upper extremity radiculopathy, psychiatric disorder, GERD, sleep apnea, and hypertension) are remanded for further development.