Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and arranging a new examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain post injury with headaches and radiculopathy, left upper extremity, have not been rated higher than the current 10 percent disability ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his right ankle disability and the etiology of his left upper extremity disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's right lower extremity neurological symptoms are not related to service-connected lumbar spine DJD and DDD, and denied his claim for increased rating of proctitis with rectal bleeding. The reduction in evaluation from 40% to 20% was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic left foot disorder, low back degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis with sciatic neuropathy are not related to his period of service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The issues of service connection, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, and TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathies have been rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 40% for his left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 8, 2013 to the present. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has also received a 20% rating effective May 18, 2013.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU for the period from December 15, 2009 through July 30, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and right leg radiculopathy have caused severe axonal peripheral neuropathy resulting in loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair for mobility.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all pending issues.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder due to chronic pain is currently rated at 30 percent since July 25, 2008. The other service-connected conditions have their respective ratings as described in the issues section.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and consideration of the TDIU claim. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine conditions and service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected radiculopathy and to ensure that he receives a proper rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO granted service connection and assigned initial noncompensable ratings, which were later increased to 10 percent effective February 29, 2012.