Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2013

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective January 28, 1993. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown as likely as not to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and education background, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for these benefits had not been met throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and residuals of a back injury, to include left leg radiculopathy, did not have their onset during active service or within one year following separation from active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected C7 radiculopathy involving the upper radicular group of the left arm is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the current low back disability with sciatic pain was not incurred or aggravated as a result of service, and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back condition and right leg condition are found to be related to a service-connected left knee condition, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his spine disabilities, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy with piriformis syndrome is currently evaluated at a 20 percent rating, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the appropriate disability ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected paravertebral myositis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records from the Raiter Clinic and other relevant VA treatment records.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities from 20 percent to 0 percent effective June 12, 2011 was proper as there was no reduction or discontinuance of compensation payments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sciatica, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, radiculopathy, sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's osteonecrosis, right femoral head, with acetabular fracture and hip osteoarthritis, status post surgical repair is currently rated at 50 percent effective May 11, 2011. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with bilateral L4 sciatic nerve involvement is currently rated at 20 percent effective May 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examinations and missing VA treatment records.