Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain disability due to a pre-decisional error in the duty to assist. The appeal will be considered based on evidence submitted at the time of the AOJ decision and any new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, bilateral eye refractive error, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve damage, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and dry skin disorder. The denial is based on the lack of diagnosed conditions in service or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board also finds no basis for granting a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the claim for an initial compensable rating is denied.,Service connection for right knee arthritis has been granted in full by a prior decision. The appeal of this issue is dismissed.,Service connection for RLE, LLE, RUE, and LUE peripheral neuropathy due to herbicide exposure is not established as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxious mood and/or depressed mood, and any other mental disorders are denied due to lack of a formal DSM-5 diagnosis during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. Service connection is denied for low back disability.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and remands the case for an aggravation opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical strain (neck pain) as it may be related to her service-connected left shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and degenerative joint disease/degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine have been denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, back disability, neck disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, head injury, and right ear hearing loss. The effective date of the decisions was January 12, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records related to his disability benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Board also found no continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar radiculitis due to a lack of VA examination records from the Veteran's Tennessee Air National Guard service, which could provide important context for determining whether these conditions are related to military service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for appropriate medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial 20% disability rating for bilateral dry eye with pinguecula and conjunctivitis was granted, but the other claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another individual, as they cause her to require assistance with feeding, preparing meals, dressing, grooming, toileting, managing medication, and attending to daily needs.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claim for blood clots in legs and sleep disorder was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to a grant of SMC based on aid and attendance. The housebound status claim is moot due to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and a psychiatric disability other than PTSD are being readjudicated due to new evidence. The claim for Degenerative Disc Disease Cervical Neck Condition is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neck disability is denied as service connection. The right knee condition and migraines are remanded for further evaluation.,An increased evaluation of the right knee condition is also remanded, and service connection for migraines remains in dispute.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD, C3 to C7 and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD. The Veteran's current hearing loss is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent from June 1, 2022.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease (cervical DDD) is granted.