Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of ratings for cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to a failure to obtain all treatment records from VHA's approval of the Veteran to seek treatment via the Veterans' Choice Program.,Specifically, the Board is requesting that VA attempt to obtain all treatment records generated from VHA's authorization for the Veteran to receive health care through the Veterans' Choice Program. These records are believed to contain relevant information pertaining to his service-connected psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the upper extremities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions, including right hip disorder replacement, eczema, right shoulder rotator cuff chronic residuals, degenerative disc disease of the cervical, hypertension, left shoulder rotator cuff chronic residuals, right knee DJD, left hip disorder replacement, and lumbosacral neuritis radiculitis thoracic, all of which are determined to not be related to service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service records cannot be located and that there are no relevant post-service medical treatment records. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, right inguinal hernia, memory loss due to concussion, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical strain and thoracic spine disability were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence meeting the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.,Specifically, the Veteran’s cervical strain did not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating due to lack of forward flexion or combined range of motion. For his thoracic spine disability, while he experienced pain and functional limitations, these were not sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine is granted. The claims for low back disability, left shin disability, right shin disability, and initial ratings for left ankle strain and left knee strain are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, right hand disability, and erectile dysfunction should be remanded due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure and has persisted since service.,Hypercholesterolemia is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes, thus the claim cannot be granted.,There is no current diagnosis of hemorrhoids or renal dysfunction. The Veteran's complaints are deemed subjective and self-reported without objective evidence supporting these conditions.,The Veteran has bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and nephrolithiasis which were diagnosed post-service but not related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded as the etiology of the condition remains unclear.,Service connection for cervical spine disability (degenerative arthritis) is remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the current condition to service.,Service connection for nephrolithiasis is remanded as there are no definitive diagnoses prior to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of multilevel cervical spondylosis and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability and its relationship to in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of sufficient severity to produce unemployability, and the Board finds that she is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is dismissed as the AOJ has already granted it. The appeals for increased ratings and other issues are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been withdrawn by the appellant.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service helicopter crash. The claim is based on direct evidence of a nexus between the injury and the current disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity disorder. The case will be returned to the Board after further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and right wrist disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its September 2022 remand directives and thus, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone rendered him in need of regular aid and assistance.,Initial ratings higher than 10 percent for hypopigmented scars, residual of cervical fusion, and scars, status post cervical fusions were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for arthritis of hips, knees, and hands, as well as cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted service connection, and his bilateral foot fibromatosis is granted an initial increased rating to 30 percent. The shin splints issues are remanded for further review.