Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2013

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a RO hearing and obtaining a VA examination to address the issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, as well as entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus of the cervical spine with bilateral radiculopathy, finding that it is related to symptoms observed during service.

The Veteran's claims were granted for service connection for various spinal disabilities and associated radiculopathies. The RO also increased her disability ratings for these conditions, with some changes effective May 23, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate his cervical spine disability. The claim for TDIU will also be considered.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the severity of the service-connected back disability and radiculopathy, as well as the potential relationship between a neck disability and an in-service injury.

The Veteran's service connection for a sciatic nerve disorder has been granted and is considered 'protected' due to its long duration, making the appeal moot.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy resulted in marked interference with employment and presented an exceptional or unusual disability picture, warranting a 40 percent rating on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to July 23, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy, status post laminotomy, discectomy, and foraminotomy, as well as her lower back disability (DDD and DJD), are not related to service. The claims were denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the submission of new evidence and unclear examination findings. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being evaluated, as well as his claimed lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not etiologically related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn, and the left ankle disability is rated at 20% prior to April 27, 2011, but not more than 10% beginning from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is not shown to be manifested by more than mild incomplete paralysis, and the assigned rating of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 8520 (sciatic nerve) is adequate.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, which he contends is related to his service-connected right knee and left ankle disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the case can be decided.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back conditions, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is currently rated at 20 percent. The ratings for his peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities are all denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent for the period beginning September 6, 2011. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher evaluation based on functional impairment due to pain and other factors. Service connection was granted for left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain and associated sciatic nerve disabilities has been denied. His current disability ratings are appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms as evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.