Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, except for costochondritis which was granted.

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with herniated disc and spinal stenosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for her service-connected cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand, and a left hip disability to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and a cervical spine disability, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and neck scar due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis based on a finding of continuity of symptomatology since the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied the claims for an earlier effective date for a TDIU and DEA benefits, as well as service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine disability, granted a 10 percent rating from May 25, 2022 to May 25, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from May 25, 2023. The Board also remanded claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of one hand resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision, as it pertains to awards of higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral hallux valgus. The appeal was denied with respect to service connection for bilateral lower sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the evidence is in at least a state of approximate balance as to whether these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a right foot injury, a left shoulder condition, and a cervical spine condition as there was no evidence of current disabilities related to these claims.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for tinnitus to September 23, 2020 and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hypothyroidism, neck disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and osteoarthritis.

The appeal was dismissed for untimeliness, and service connection claims were denied or remanded based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, and PTSD with TBI, but granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches. The Board also remanded service connection for a bilateral foot condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reversal or revision of prior rating decisions on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) and remanded a claim for service connection for left leg disability.

The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is dismissed, and the remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain private examiner records.