Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability related to each condition.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including the issuance of a SOC and obtaining SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability as there was no medical evidence of a causal link between her current back disability and her active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating, reopening of service connection for gastritis, hiatal hernia, and GERD, fatigue, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Board remands the case for further development, including an examination to assess incontinence as a complication of the Veteran's disc disease and to obtain private treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including status post discectomy with residual arthritis and radiculopathies of the lower extremities, have been rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and attendance or due to housebound status.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher initial ratings, earlier effective dates and service connection for a heart condition.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities do not warrant ratings in excess of 20 percent, and a TDIU is not warranted.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development and readjudication of the claims.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 and granted a 10 percent disability rating for lumbar radiculitis (sciatica), lower right extremity.

The Veteran's lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy were found to result in moderate impairment, not warranting a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident, to include as secondary to service-connected cervical myositis, was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hemiparesis and depressive disorder were not addressed in this decision due to the remand status of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted, with a rating of 40% effective March 12, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted, with a rating of 40% effective March 12, 2009.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fracture of the spine and pelvis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity (hip) radiculopathy, finding that the medical findings on examination did not establish impairment more than mild.