Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his post-operative lumbar laminectomy with advanced degenerative disc disease is granted, and he is awarded a 40 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right S1 radiculopathy is granted. The reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and information regarding work incapacity.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her private treatment records and consideration of whether a referral for extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including neck and back injuries. The Board has ordered additional development to obtain relevant medical records and personnel files.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a travel board hearing at the Lincoln, Nebraska, Regional Office. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The VA has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the appellant's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective January 30, 2006.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine radiculopathy due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is denied as there is no evidence that the condition began during or was caused by active service. The tailbone disability claim is also denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or causation from a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right sciatica is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and any diagnosed lumbosacral radiculopathy. The RO/AMC will then review the claims of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent for discogenic disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran seeks service connection for hip and lumbar spine disabilities, claimed as secondary to his service-connected postoperative residuals of arthrotomy of the right knee with osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to unclear connection between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are not service connected, but his lower extremity radiculopathy is related to a service-connected disability.