Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus entitling him to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The issue of SMC based on being housebound is dismissed as moot due to the grant of SMC by reason of aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, BPH, sleep apnea, and several other conditions due to a lack of current diagnoses or credible evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and neck disability due to incomplete range of motion testing in previous examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The appeal for PTSD is dismissed. The claims for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to comply with prior instructions and obtain relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her in-service eating habits and is more likely due to a pre-existing condition. The cervical spine disability was also denied as it did not show an increase in severity during active duty.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied because there was no evidence of aggravation beyond its natural progression during the Veteran's ACDUTRA, and her current condition is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for back and neck disabilities remain denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck disability. The claim will be further developed and a new opinion is required.

The Veteran's initial rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied prior to September 4, 2015. A 100 percent rating has been granted from September 4, 2015 to September 25, 2018.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder is remanded due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, hip, and shoulder disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Veteran's brachial plexus injury is not worsening and his symptoms are associated with cervical radiculopathy, which is unrelated to the service-connected condition. Therefore, a rating in excess of 10 percent for brachial plexus stretch injury secondary to fall is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected muscle wound of the right neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent. The ratings for paralysis of the right vocal cords, cervical compression fracture, and anterior neck scarring are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at a non-VA facility on September 7, 2017 was for an emergent condition and that seeking treatment at a VA or federal facility was not feasibly available. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to service, while his bilateral hip, left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are not. The Board has remanded the issue of a left-hand disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain condition is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity and any neurological complications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 8, 2017 to December 26, 2017. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of service-connected residual burns right anterior trunk has been granted. The claims for service connection for neck disability and bilateral foot disability have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development, including clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for gout, cervical spine/right arm disability, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's back pain was not related to his in-service injury.,There is no evidence of any relevant condition in the Veteran’s service records or post-service treatment records.