Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for cervical strain is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for migraine and migraine variants is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for MDD is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of April 12, 2021. The Board finds that the combined effects of his service-connected right knee disability and PTSD with MDD prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have started during service and granted service connection.,There is no evidence of sleep apnea or related disability, and the claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent each. The GERD and IBS condition has also received an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities, but his combined rating does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a finding of permanent and total disability rating has been dismissed as the claim was fully resolved in his favor with the issuance of a May 2021 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical, thoracic spine, bilateral shoulder, knee, and foot conditions, as well as headaches and an eye condition due to incomplete information regarding the Appellant's service periods and lack of verification of relevant medical records.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. However, SMC by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, particularly scoliosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology and aggravation by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in duty to assist and insufficient evidence regarding the onset of neck disability during service. The Veteran's claim for service connection is now pending, with a VA examination required.

The Veteran's tinnitus, cervical spine condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right hip condition, left hip condition, retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, left knee condition, left shin condition, and ankle conditions are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate ratings for various disabilities, including right and left foot hallux valgus, cervical spine disability, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, heart disease, and bilateral insertional tendonitis. The claims are being remanded to obtain necessary examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical strain with IVDS and bilateral upper radiculopathies, as her symptoms have worsened since the last examination. The claims are therefore being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient competent medical evidence and a need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded due to the need for additional development. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA remain at December 13, 2019.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, migraines including migraine variants, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are all granted as service connected.,Reasoning for the cervical spine disability: The Board finds that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability had onset in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims and TDIU. The VA will schedule examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his low back, neck, and hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right leg amputation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected low back disability.