Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent effective December 19, 2023. The appeal for higher ratings and earlier effective dates has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to concurrent elections of review options.

The Veteran's IBS has been granted a 30 percent initial disability rating. Service connection was denied for other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 18, 2020. The Board finds that a rating in excess of the current 10 percent is not warranted for the period from June 29, 2022, to October 25, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for bilateral foot, lung, and neck disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claims as there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant records and providing an adequate etiological opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The issues of headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, neck strain, hypertension, left lower extremity deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary embolism, and myocardial infarction are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claim for payment of non-VA care provided at Mercy Health Saint Ritas Medical Center LLC on May 14, 2021 is granted due to the timely filing and eligibility under 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Veteran's Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Craniocervical Instability, and Hydrocephalus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that he filed a timely Notice of Disagreement within one year of the September 2014 rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied as his current level of hearing acuity does not warrant a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for seizure disorder is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hemorrhoids is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service injury that would support the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for vertebral fracture and cervical spondylosis are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence provided by the August 2024 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors, including incomplete medical opinions and failure to obtain relevant records such as ROTC personnel records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and cervical strain. The criteria for direct service connection have been met due to the Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a cervical spine disability was granted, and the initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a cervical spine disability prior to June 29, 2022, is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical dysplasia, acquired psychiatric disorder, and low back condition is denied. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a low back condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected neck and radiculopathy disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to perform daily activities without assistance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The VA has already granted this benefit in an earlier decision, and the issue is moot.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use his upper extremities and left lower extremity without assistive devices, despite having a permanent total rating.

The Veteran's vertigo with Meniere's syndrome is granted a 30 percent rating. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, PTSD, bruxism, TMJ, cornea abrasion, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal obstruction injury, upper back cervical spine condition, left and right upper extremity peripheral nerve conditions, and bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding a proposal to reduce the disability rating for right upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome and the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine condition due to procedural issues.

Your appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of your appeal.