Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and potentially seeking an additional medical opinion. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and migraine headaches, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claims. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his morphine addiction and pain management, caused or contributed to his death by overdose. Therefore, the cause of death is deemed service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left C7 radiculopathy is related to his in-service neck injury, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right upper extremity disorder to include arthritis, and left upper extremity disorder to include arthritis as the Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the Hughston Clinic and Tuskegee VAMC records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including Gulf War Syndrome, depression, neuropathy, radiculopathy, and various other symptoms. The issues are related to service connection for these conditions, with some seeking reopening of a previously denied claim for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in his right lower extremity was granted effective from August 25, 2005.

The Veteran's service connection claims for herniated spinal discs, left foot neuropathy, and right foot neuropathy have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence fails to link these conditions to service.,The Board also determined that there was no causal connection between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his right ankle arthritis and sprain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer, neck disability, and cervical radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service or any associated herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities were not related to service and the Board denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder and associated radiculopathy do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, albeit in a sedentary capacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear and for radiculopathy of the left leg (right leg) due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The initial ratings for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine surgical repair of herniated discs (low back disability) and radiculopathy of the left leg (left leg) have been granted at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current back disorder is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected spinal conditions, including adjustment disorder with anxiety associated with spine disabilities, have been found to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. Effective May 6, 2008, the TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that cervical radiculopathy of the right arm is related to service-connected intervertebral disc disease of the cervical spine, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand was not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and sciatica were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.