Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) is granted due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his combined service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to TDIU because the AOJ failed to consider whether the Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy constitute one disability under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a), which could meet the schedular threshold for TDIU eligibility. The Board found good cause for the Veteran's failure to appear for a VA examination based on his credible account of being told by a VA representative that the examination was unnecessary.

The Board remands the claims for a spine disability and gastrointestinal disability to correct duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, right hip, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis based on new evidence. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist, and left forearm were remanded for further consideration.

The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for cervical spine.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected surgical scar, left knee status post arthroplasty and remanded the claim for service connection for cervical spine status post spinal fusion to obtain an adequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including glaucoma, diabetes, and neuropathy, as the probative evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active military service.

The Board granted an effective date of October 21, 2021 for service connection for IBS and GERD, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right wrist sprain, lumbosacral strain, right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathies, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disability, finding credible evidence of in-service events and establishing a nexus to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions due to outstanding records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including high cholesterol or unspecified hyperlipidemia, tuberculosis (TB), traumatic brain injury, migraines, low back disability, neck disability, and others. The claims were not supported by sufficient evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's neck disability, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and painful neck scar status post GSW.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the cervical spine and right shoulder strain, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current disability picture.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and a neck disability, but remanded the claims for a skin disability (seborrheic dermatitis) and a psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left foot degenerative changes, and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and thyroid disability were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, left and right cervical radiculopathy, secondary to the neck disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical radiculitis, degenerative disc disease with broad-based bulging disc at L4-5 with spinal stenosis, and medial epicondylitis of the left and right sides. The claim seeking entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches was dismissed. The claims for chronic dry eyes, plantar fasciitis, and fibromyalgia were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, right and left thumb, index, long, ring, and little finger degenerative arthritis, and right knee tendonitis. However, a separate rating of 10 percent was granted for the group of minor joints composed of the right and left ring and little fingers.