Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's rib fractures are not rated as compensable, and service connection for left shoulder and neck disabilities is denied.,Effective dates prior to December 1, 2017 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis with onychomycosis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar syndrome and chondromalacia of both knees. The case needs further development with a clarifying medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical stenosis, status post-anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and degenerative arthritis was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have had their onset in service.,There is no evidence of a current gout disability or functional impairment due to gout.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment since August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from September 23, 2008 to March 28, 2010. An effective date of September 23, 2008 for the grant of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is related to service or his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated examinations, authorization of medical records, and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating based on functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical spondylosis were rated, with the lumbosacral strain receiving a 20% rating. The cervical spondylosis was denied an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service. The TDIU claim was remanded due to the Veteran's request.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, the reopening of a cervical spine disability claim secondary to right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and the TDIU claim. The reasons are that the most recent VA examination is inadequate and new opinions are needed.

Service connection for costochondritis, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea has been granted with an effective date of March 7, 2014. Service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for GERD is denied, but the Veteran's neck disability, hands and fingers disability, and joint pain are remanded.

Service connection for craniocervical arteriovenous fistula is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to April 20, 2015, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current tension headaches are proximately due to or the result of her service-connected anxiety disorder.,Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability and left wrist condition. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) because of the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted with a 30 percent rating, and his right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted with a 20 percent rating. Other issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new examinations to evaluate his low back, ankle, radiculopathy, neck, elbow, and upper extremity disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including potential service connection and aggravation by a pre-existing condition.