Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left foot disorder and a cervical spine disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible reports of its onset during service, resolving all doubts in his favor. Service connection for neck disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, right shoulder disorder, and left ankle disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 9, 2018 for the award of special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria being met was denied. The Board found that there is no legal entitlement to the statutory housebound rate prior to May 9, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 17, 2018 for the award of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance criteria being met was granted. The Board found that the first evidence of need for aid and assistance in the record is dated June 11, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches due to potential errors in the duty to assist. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was restored to 40 percent effective February 1, 2020.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's hypertension, secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diffuse atherosclerotic disease, secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's CAD, secondary to his service-connected hypertension, is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as not related to active service.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, restless leg syndrome, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, and cervical strain. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for back or neck disability and bilateral shoulder disability due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms during and after service, as well as a private treatment record, need to be considered in the new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative joint disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right ankle sprain, and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined service-connected disability rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain, right knee instability, right elbow olecranon bursitis and DJD, migraine headaches, and left foot sprain with hallux valgus, arthritis, and pes planus have been granted or maintained. Service connection for these conditions is established through a direct link to service without any presumption of exposure.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder rotator cuff injuries, as well as hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction (ED) and cervical spine strain.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea. There is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's separation from service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including his left arm and leg impairments, resulted in complete paralysis of the left side from January 5, 2015. The Veteran was granted separate ratings for each affected limb.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right cerebellar stroke is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's headaches, migraine and tension are granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a back condition and cervical spine condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding direct service connection. The Veteran's reported onset dates are considered, but no examiner provided an opinion considering these dates.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating based on PTSD is moot due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. The claims for TDIU and SMC are remanded as further development is needed.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine condition prior to April 2, 2014, finding that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees or a combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees.

The Veteran's spondylosis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 22, 2019. The Board has found that a higher rating is warranted for this condition prior to January 22, 2019 and from January 22, 2019 onwards due to lack of evidence supporting ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, which is secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The remand requires an addendum medical opinion from the examiner.