Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2011

The clinical evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran presently has a diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy or other chronic neurological disorder manifested by numbness in his hands, fingers and shoulders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as further consideration of his claim.

The Board denied a rating in excess of the initial 60 percent assigned for service-connected low back strain with low back pain, degenerative changes and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination for his lumbar spine disability and cervical spine strain with peripheral radiculopathy, as well as obtain any outstanding VA treatment records. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability, including degenerative disc disease with lumbar radiculopathy and spondylosis. The appeal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, as well as radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran is entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities, effective January 26, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an organic low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, but the effective dates are not specified as they were not provided in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C and lumbar radiculopathy was granted. The Board found that the current conditions are related to in-service events or exposures.

The Veteran's sciatic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities has not been manifested by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 10 percent rating. Therefore, his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected herniated nucleus pulpous at L4-L5 with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding urinary incontinence.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, productive of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, is rated at a 10% disability level.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the appellant's lumbar arthropathy, effective from August 19, 2004. The decision also notes that there are separate 10 percent ratings assigned for left and right sciatica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's hand tremors are found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports granting service connection for hand tremors.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip disability and sciatic neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated due to active service, nor were they incurred or aggravated due to other service connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent. The claims for increased ratings have been granted.