Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for other disabilities remain remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, which had their onset during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The left ankle disability is also considered to have its onset during ACDUTRA. However, the TDIU claim remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the left ankle claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are pending further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from October 26, 2017. The reduction in the evaluation was found to be improper and restored.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.,Further development is required to verify the Veteran’s periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training, as well as to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and PTSD as they are not fully developed. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and additional records will be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened, granted, and an effective date of June 21, 2015, is assigned. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy on secondary basis to his cervical spine disability is also granted. An effective date earlier than October 4, 2016, for the assignment of a 20% rating for his cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrophy of left thigh muscles, cervical spine disorder, right and left knee patellar strains, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right great toe hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been granted at a 20 percent level. The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease remains rated as non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is also being considered for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 23, 2011. The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to his active military service, and therefore, denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination, and requires additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to service or if it had its onset prior to retirement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The claims for an increased rating for right hip degenerative joint disease, entitlement to SMC based on housebound status, and temporary total evaluation are remanded.