Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2007

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left shoulder radiculopathy, left knee ACL injury, and hypertension.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for sciatic nerve syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The RO found no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim of osteomyelitis of the right humerus, and denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for numbness and paralysis of the arms and legs as well as a small hole in the esophagus.,The veteran's left leg sciatica and radiculopathy claim was granted with a 20% disability rating, but he appealed this decision.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his service-connected degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, and sciatica of the left leg is being remanded due to a need for additional medical examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings higher than 10 percent for his lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy, and peripheral neuropathy of the right foot were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating codes.

The veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than September 21, 2004 for the grant of service connection for left leg radiculopathy with pain, secondary to sciatic nerve. The case has been remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy, as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's low back injury and radiculopathy of both legs, effective September 14, 1999.

The veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected dorsolumbar disability. The case has been remanded due to the submission of additional evidence not previously considered by the RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection for palpitations and a left leg disorder were denied, while her claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for migraine headaches was granted.

The veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar sprain with radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis of the thoracic spine, a lumbar spine disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy, squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, and a psychiatric disorder to include anxiety, depression, and manic depression.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right foot disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either the pre-amended or amended criteria.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbosacral intervertebral disc disease and right knee injury, as well as a TDIU prior to December 28, 2002, were denied by the Board.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20% for lumbar spine arthritis with radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show qualifying incapacitating episodes or chronic severe limitation of motion over a 12-month period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his mechanical low back disability with degenerative changes and lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the old or new criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with left lower extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches, have resulted in a combined schedular rating of 90 percent. The veteran is unable to walk or use stairs due to his service-connected disabilities, meeting the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60% for postoperative residuals of an L5-S1 discectomy with sciatica, finding that the evidence did not show ankylosis of the spine. The claim for left leg venous insufficiency with thrombosis was granted and rated at 60%. No effective date is provided as the rating has been in effect since January 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with bulging discs warrants a 10 percent rating, effective from September 26, 2003.