Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim will be reviewed again with additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance, his housebound status due to service-connected disabilities, and if his condition has worsened since the last examination. The decision will be based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy and lumbar disability have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent from March 1, 2016 to October 29, 2018. The cervical disability has also been granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as his disability picture does not render him bedridden or in need of constant care.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, left knee strain, and right knee strain remain denied. The claim for service connection for lumbar disc disease is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is granted service connection. Service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, cervicogenic headaches, and neuropathy of the lower extremities are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service or a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The Board is bound by the RO's favorable finding that the Veteran served as a dental specialist with a moderate probability of acoustic trauma.

The Board has restored the original ratings of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability and 30 percent for cervical spine disability, finding that the reduction in evaluations was not proper due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address all required elements in the prior remands. The issues of low back, cervical spine, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The matter will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical nexus opinions. The RO is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability with bilateral intervertebral disc syndrome, left shoulder rotator cuff injury, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess current severity.

The Veteran's cervical, lumbosacral, right knee, and left knee strains have been granted service connection.,A rating of 10 percent has been assigned for the Veteran's tinnitus.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected conditions, including skin condition, flat feet, GERD, left knee condition, left wrist condition, and left wrist scar. The Veteran's fibromyalgia and hypertension were granted service connection.,Several issues are remanded for further review, including initial ratings for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right greater auricular neuropathy and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher disability rating than 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ must schedule a VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions and determine if they result in the need for SMC.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and stenosis is currently rated at 30 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's neck, back, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded for additional development due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The radiculopathy claims are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims for these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient consideration of relevant medical records and the Veteran's lay statements. The VA will need to obtain additional evidence, including treatment records from Temple VA hospital and Breckenridge hospital, and provide a new VA medical opinion.