Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2012

The Veteran is seeking compensation for lumbosacral radiculopathy under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 based on VA treatment in May 2007, but the claim must be remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, scheduling a VA examination to assess his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and scheduling another psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for a new VA compensation examination to reassess his service-connected disabilities and determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis, left and right lumbar radiculopathy has been granted. The initial evaluations of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability and 10 percent each for the associated left and right lumbar radiculopathies are effective February 19, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and arranging for a comprehensive orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's lumbar disc disease and disc herniation L4-5 are rated at 20 percent from February 10, 2006 to January 30, 2007. Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and issuing a Statement of the Case on his claim for an increased evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly his low back disability. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated as 20 percent disabling. Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been rated as moderately severe since August 8, 2011.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, which is associated with his service-connected low back disability. The claim for cystic acne vulgaris remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, multiple arthralgias (joint pain), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's PTSD, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and whether his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and a pulmonary disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent, but her blood pressure readings have been predominantly below the threshold for higher ratings.,For degenerative disk disease of the neck, a separate rating has been granted for associated right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 28, 2010. The increased rating has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities and renal disorder. The remaining claims have already been fully granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability with right upper extremity radiculopathy is related to service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 2, 2008 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The right wrist disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective September 13, 2007. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity received a separate evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left arm radiculopathy and weakness, and right arm radiculopathy. The pre-existing conditions were found to not be aggravated by service.