Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected low back and right lower extremity conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were denied, while the claim to reopen his low back disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his inability to walk or move his legs without a wheelchair. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran developed a chronic low back disorder, including bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, in or as a result of service. The Board finds against the claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a service injury or disease related to the Veteran's current low back condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for hypertension was reopened, but service connection was not established. His claims for increased ratings for his low back injury and radiculopathies were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and considering whether extra-schedular evaluations are warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities, rated at a combined 70 percent disabling, preclude her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment. As such, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right leg sciatica is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability and residuals of a neck injury were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board finds that the Veteran did not have a chronic disorder during service, nor is there evidence to support a finding that his current conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's back disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered further development of the issues of entitlement to service connection for frostbite of the feet and residuals of cervical radiculopathy. The claim of service connection for tremors of the lower extremities is deferred until such time as a VA examination can be scheduled.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy was not shown to be related to service or service-connected conditions, and the Board denied his claim.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a back disorder, specifically herniated nucleus pulposus L5-S1 with sciatica on the left side. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination to determine if her current condition is related to her military service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with right S1 radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent since December 12, 2007. The effective date for this rating is set as of that date. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his cervical spine disability was denied, and the effective date for TDIU was not earlier than October 19, 2006.

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective January 5, 2004, based on his service-connected low back and leg disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including skin disorders and a seizure disorder, were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.