Neck / cervical spine — all decisions

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, left hand and wrist disabilities, TBI, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and residuals symptoms of heat stroke. The claim for CAD was denied due to the absence of a primary service-connected mental health disability.

The veteran's appeal requests were denied as they were not timely filed, and good cause was not shown to extend the time for filing.

The Board granted an effective date of November 19, 2007, for the grant of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and major depressive disorder associated with cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted an effective date of November 17, 2019, for service connection for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain but remanded the other issues.

The Board denied service connection for gallstones, left eye disability, right eye disability, sinusitis, asbestos exposure, GERD, back disability, neck disability, and right ear hearing loss. The claims for left ear hearing loss, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthritis, left shoulder tendinitis, right shoulder arthritis, right shoulder contusion, neck disability (cervical spine stenosis, degenerative changes, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis), right upper extremity tremors, and left upper extremity tremors as they were not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and service connection for vertigo.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and GERD disabilities and remanded claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, residuals of hernia repair, double vision, deviated septum, temporomandibular pain syndrome (TPS), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine to correct duty to assist errors and obtain an addendum medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for dermatophytosis (tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the foot) with a rating of 30 percent, but denied service connection for multiple other conditions including hypokalemia, bilateral pes planus, cervical spine condition, left elbow condition, left foot hallux valgus, left hand condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, pain in left shoulder joint, right elbow condition, right hand condition, left extremity sciatica, right extremity sciatica, right knee condition, stomach issues, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed for lack of response within 60 days of the Board's request for clarification.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, right shoulder tendinopathy, and left shoulder condition. The claims for right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical strain were also granted. However, the claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy and gastroesophageal reflux disease were denied.

The Board denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disability. The claim for a migraine headache disability was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder strain, cervical strain, and deviated septum but denied increased ratings for the right index finger conditions.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims, including those related to various conditions such as right foot condition, TMJ, asthma, jawbone condition, sleep apnea, kidney stones, chronic bronchitis, Alpha gal, encephalopathy, left shoulder, left ankle, cervical spine, right hip, tachycardia, loose teeth, and jawbone condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for direct payment of attorney fees based on past due benefits awarded in a May 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, but denied an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted a 70 percent initial evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder and TDIU, but remanded claims for service connection for diabetes, lumbar condition, cervical condition, lung condition, and left and right lower extremity neuropathy.

The appeal regarding CUE in the June 2014 rating decision to deny service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities was dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, and cervical strain (claimed as neck disability) to obtain additional medical opinions regarding aggravation by service-connected disabilities.