Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further development.,No new or material evidence has been submitted, and the issues remain unresolved.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left elbow disability, and left shoulder disability on a direct basis. The reasonable doubt in each case has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder tendonitis, cervical strain, chondromalacia patella right knee, lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain, episodes of locking left knee, left knee degenerative joint disease with patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patella status-post surgery, and limitation of extension left knee, have rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to January 22, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not show he became unemployable within a year of his May 1, 2020 application. The Board found that the Veteran already had a 100% disability rating from January 22, 2020 and thus TDIU prior to this date was moot.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance at the 38 U.S.C. � 1114(n 1/2) rate, but no higher, prior to January 25, 2019 and from March 1, 2019, due to his service-connected depressive disorder alone causing him to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of migraine headaches and a neck disability due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disorder and a right foot disorder due to errors in obtaining relevant medical records and failing to conduct a VA examination as required by law.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis is granted. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left hip strain, limitation of extension is denied. Entitlement to psychiatric disorder (borderline personality disorder, including PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain, herniated discs, and muscle spasms, is found to have begun during service and is granted as direct service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis and anterolisthesis C4 on C5, but remanded the issues of service connection for an eye disability (including pinguecula, dry eye syndrome, and hypertensive retinopathy) and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of all service connection issues, and the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require care or assistance from another person on a regular basis to protect him from hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment, which has been determined based on the evidence of record. As such, the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating as there has been no significant change in his symptoms within the appeal period.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, and hypertrophic gastritis.,Obstructive sleep apnea service connection is denied. Service connection for TBI and CFS are remanded.

The Veteran's neck condition, including cervical strain, is granted as service connected due to an in-service injury during combat.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of sarcoidosis, cervical strain, and eczema of the bilateral hands is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for neck disability is remanded due to inadequate examination. The Veteran's claim for eczema of the bilateral hands is also remanded as there are questions regarding systemic therapy.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder disability, left knee disability, hepatitis C, and neck pain, status post cervical spine anterior fusion at C5-6. The claims were remanded due to new evidence received after the June 2017 rating decision.,Service connection is established for right shoulder disability, left knee disability, hepatitis C, and neck pain, status post cervical spine anterior fusion at C5-6.