Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent throughout the review period. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot because there is no indication that any single disability alone warrants a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible lay statements regarding symptoms that began during military service.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 28, 2015 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The TDIU was awarded due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The DEA eligibility is also granted as of September 28, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical herniated disc, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for back and head injuries were dismissed due to failure to file a timely VA Form 10182 within one year of receiving the October 8, 2021, Rating Decision.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as neurologic impairment of the right lower extremity. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine was denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service or any service-connected conditions.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted based on its presence in service and persistence post-service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as he has not had a single disability rated at 60 percent disabling, or a disability rated at least 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and related issues are being remanded due to the need to obtain non-VA medical records from West University Wellness and Westchase Health and Rehabilitation Center, which have not been associated with the claims file. The AOJ is instructed to readjudicate the claims after obtaining these records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and spondylosis (neck condition) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or relationship to his military service.

Effective August 14, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the upper extremities are granted. Effective November 19, 2019, the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathies of the lower extremities are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis, asthma, sleep apnea, back condition, neck condition, flat foot/pes planus, and hypothyroidism, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for all issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his TDIU rating and lack of qualifying disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable during the period from August 27, 2003 to August 21, 2014. The Board found that he was capable of performing sedentary work with a sit/stand accommodation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of error in decision-making. The Veteran was granted service connection for low back strain and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, effective June 15, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ should consider separate ratings for any associated neurological conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted effective June 14, 2001. The date entitlement arose is prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,The Board has remanded several issues, including hypertension, which is suspected to be related to toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) during his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to July 15, 2017. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.,From September 17, 2017, to June 15, 2018, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 40 percent. A remand is ordered as there are issues with obtaining medical records and reopening a claim for service connection of IBS.,The petition to reopen the claim for service connection of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.