Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, conduct a new examination, and readjudicate the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with right leg radiculopathy is attributable to service and grants service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for L5-S1 disc degeneration with spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for a compensable rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity before April 5, 2010, and a rating higher than 20 percent from that date was also denied.

The Veteran's low back disability, along with other service-connected conditions, has rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.,The Veteran is entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of her lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to the possibility of a material change in his disability status.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with mechanical low back pain and degenerative changes, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's residuals of a left knee contusion with patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia are also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right side sciatica, which he claims is secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The claim will be remanded for further development of his medical records and consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on his ability to work. The appeal is now pending again with the agency of original jurisdiction.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and denied the remaining claims, including those related to diabetes mellitus type II. The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded due to conflicting statements regarding his military duties.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less or ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.

The Board granted increased ratings for the appellant's lumbar degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy, with a 40% rating effective since July 29, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through her authorized representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right leg has been rated at 20 percent since October 16, 2003. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted based on moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left L4 radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent from January 14, 2009, forward, or a rating greater than 10 percent for left L4 radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination to assess the current severity of his low back injury and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disk disease and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with multiple disk protrusions is related to his left lower extremity disability, which includes left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right wrist laceration is granted. His lumbar spine disability and S-1 root compression with left thigh and calf radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent each, but his increased rating claims remain denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been granted a 60 percent rating effective June 20, 2006. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathies have also been granted increased ratings of 40 percent and 20 percent respectively from March 7, 2008.