Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and depressive disorder. The decision also acknowledges that obesity may be an intermediate step between these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions with obesity as an intermittent step. The evidence shows that the Veteran's weight gain, which is a result of his service-connected musculoskeletal conditions, led to his diagnosis of sleep apnea.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is granted as began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and TBI have been granted service connection. Service connection for left ear hearing loss, headache disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder has been denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, as well as cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The claims were denied because there was no verification of exposure to toxins at Fort McClellan.

The Board finds that service connection is warranted for a right lung granuloma, as the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that it had its onset during active duty.

The Board has identified a pre-decisional duty to assist error and is remanding the case for further action, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The VA will now readjudicate these claims based on the additional evidence provided.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the VA examination and lack of consideration of private treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine stenosis with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and spondylolisthesis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain with cervical spondylosis was denied in August 2008, and he did not file a new claim until July 2018. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at July 3, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and TMJ with osteomyelitis are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The cases will be returned for additional development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has identified deficiencies in the November 2020 VA examinations and finds that these constitute pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's cervical spine and left hip disabilities need to be re-evaluated by VA examiners.

The Veteran's neck disability, including degenerative arthritis and spondylosis, was incurred in service. The Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a lumbar spine disability, a left shoulder disability, a cervical spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Obesity was a substantial factor in causing the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a retroactive payment of VA disability compensation benefits due to changes in the rating assigned to right upper extremity radiculopathy (RUER) associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded. The decision will involve obtaining an audit report or generating one if it has not been made.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include hypolordosis, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids were not rated higher than a compensable rating.,Tinnitus was evaluated at the maximum schedular rating available for that disorder.,Bilateral hearing loss was rated at 30 percent effective October 18, 2019.,Cervical spine disability was rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Tension headaches were rated at 50 percent as of October 18, 2019.,Lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent prior to February 7, 2020.,RUE radiculopathy and LUE radiculopathy were both rated at 20 percent.,Residual lumbar spine scar did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.