Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause him to require regular aid and attendance to keep him ordinarily clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect him from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC A&A.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, congestive heart failure, type II diabetes mellitus, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have all been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not establish a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy have been granted service connection, while the claim for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a 40% rating for his right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant were denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as the effective dates sought are not earlier than October 5, 2021.,For issues related to service connection, the earliest date of entitlement is considered to be October 5, 2021.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease. His rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease is increased to 40 percent effective December 17, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical strain with right upper extremity radiculopathy, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left wrist sprain are all granted. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum disability rating for his left wrist sprain.

The Board has found that more development is necessary prior to final adjudication of the claims on appeal due to incomplete service treatment records. The Veteran's complete service treatment records have not been associated with the file, and VA must again attempt to obtain these records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various orthopedic disabilities should be remanded due to a duty to assist error. The claims will now include medical opinions considering the Veteran's lay contentions about his in-service pain and duties.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a left knee disability. The appeal regarding initial compensable evaluation for musculoskeletal headaches is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Alzheimer's disease, degenerative disease of the cervical spine, left knee disability, left shoulder disability, and lower back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted service connection, while his right eye disorder and tinnitus are denied. The lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders have been remanded for further review.

Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease and spondylosis of the cervical and cervicothoracic regions, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, right sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of right leg, left radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, right radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, posttraumatic residuals right 2nd finger, and headaches (claimed as cervicothoracic spine pain).,Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency with dyspnea, chronic maculopapular dermatitis, and heart disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's cervical condition. The mood disorder case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis at C5-C6 and C6-C7 is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board found that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and umbilical hernia were evaluated. The rating for the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet criteria for higher ratings under either General Rating Formula or IVDS Formula. Ratings for the left and right upper extremities radiculopathy were granted at 30% and denied respectively. The umbilical hernia received a 20% rating from February 7, 2019 to February 6, 2019.

The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and related disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left hip replacement, and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, were evaluated. The rating for active process rheumatoid arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher than 40 percent rating.

The claims for service connection have been granted, and the Veteran's disabilities are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations.