Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which may be related to service or fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of a crush injury to the right hand, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for his bilateral shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities. The appeals are now pending with the VA Regional Office.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for cervical spine disability from January 5, 2021 to February 28, 2021. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use is denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and theories of entitlement, including for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), neck disability, and back disability. The Veteran's ED is being examined in relation to his service-connected psychiatric disability, back disability, and neck disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence regarding whether his lumbar spine disability aggravates his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper extremities radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and right knee disabilities were granted with a combined evaluation of 100 percent effective December 26, 2012. The appellant applied for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 on the same date and was found eligible based on her eligibility as a child of a Veteran with permanent total disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete SSA records and other procedural issues.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered and the claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for a thorough review of all submitted records, including translated Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered in light of new information.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for chronic residuals of pneumonia, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, head injury, and cervical strain due to incomplete documentation in the Veteran's notice of disagreement.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability, lupus, and heart disability. The left knee disability claim is also being remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his in-service injuries. However, service connection was denied for prostate cancer due to lack of evidence linking it to service.,Service connection for prostate cancer was denied as there was no confirmed exposure to herbicides and no showing of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability and cervical spine disability, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The TDIU claim prior to January 11, 2018 is also denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.