Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings adequately reflect the severity of his service-connected low back strain and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than November 21, 2006, for the award of a TDIU is denied as there is no legal basis for such an award.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service, and thus denied his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with left leg sciatica, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right lower and upper extremities have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the current criteria do not meet the requirements for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a statement of the case on his claim of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical post-traumatic syrinx with radiculopathy of the C7-8 nerve roots and service connection for left wrist fusion as secondary to service-connected spinal fractures.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation to determine the current severity of his service-connected right femur fracture, PTSD, and right sciatic nerve injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left arm radiculopathy was reopened and granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, right leg radiculopathy, and incontinence disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an effective date of September 26, 2003 for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues regarding earlier effective dates have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disability is related to service, taking into account his in-service complaints and post-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and bilateral leg disorders are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip and knee disabilities, as well as right lower extremity radiculopathy, all of which are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a psychiatric disorder were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only due to his inability to use an unmodified vehicle.