Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 25, 2008.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's tension headaches are caused by his service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and paraspinal muscle strain, cervical strain.

The Board has determined that there is some persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's in-service injury to his current cervical spine disorder, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the 100 percent rating for PTSD, persistent depressive disorder to include TBI, and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The claim for restoration of the 30 percent rating for hypothyroidism is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the submission of additional issues not addressed in previous AOJ decisions. The TERA exposure and development is also required.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and left ankle condition were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and sciatic nerve condition were also denied as the evidence does not support a connection to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided for these claims are inadequate due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The Veteran's statements about in-service onset of his disabilities have not been adequately addressed, and further examination is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The claims for cervical strain and right knee disorders have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck condition and a left knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right upper extremity radiculopathy with muscle atrophy, major depressive disorder, and other disabilities, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to dress or undress himself, prepare meals, attend to the wants of nature, and require assistance for driving. The Board has determined that SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's upper back condition and cervical spine condition are being reviewed again, with an emphasis on obtaining private treatment records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, hemorrhoids, cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, left hand condition, and right hand condition, as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has withdrawn the Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergies, bronchitis, cervical spine disability, lower back disability, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected PTSD, which is rated as 70 percent disabling since June 16, 2016. The additional disabilities do not meet the criteria for a single disability rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of sinusitis and the symptoms are attributed to rhinitis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for MS with dysphasia and constipation is denied as her symptoms do not warrant a higher combined rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), a stomach disorder (to include GERD), a leg disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, a cervical spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right hip/thigh disorder, a left hip/thigh disorder, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder for further development.,The Board found that the Veteran's hearing loss does not meet VA criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disc degeneration is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's hernia (specifically umbilical hernia and inguinal regions) is denied due to lack of chronicity of care during service.,The Veteran's left knee strain (patellofemoral pain syndrome and chronic sprain) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset in service.,The Veteran's left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is remanded as the VA examiner found no evidence of chronicity of care during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are all remanded due to lack of medical records documenting ongoing treatment or diagnosis in service.

Your appeal of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease has been dismissed because a prior decision granted this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied claims for hammertoe deformities of the feet, flat feet, hallux rigidus/limitus, hallux valgus, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's laceration scar on his forearm was granted an initial 10% rating effective May 11, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.