Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2014

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected nasal trauma. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD, is found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability. His cervical spine disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 20% each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, including radiculopathy in his left lower extremity, is related to service and granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have left lower extremity radiculopathy and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as the VA examiners found that his disabilities allow for sedentary work.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The appeals for the other issues are withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with mechanical low back pain and radiculopathy is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine. The evidence does not demonstrate that his associated neurological disorder warrants a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of a link between his claimed conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathies of the LLE and RLE were granted increased ratings to 20 percent effective October 3, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip cyst and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Board found that the current schedular evaluations adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's current OSA and sciatic nerve disorder are found to be related to service, while his peripheral neuropathy is not. The lung disorder claim has been denied.

The Veteran's cervical strain with headaches and associated radiculopathy have been rated at 30 percent since August 1, 2007. The effective date for this rating is not specified.

The Veteran's current bilateral hammertoes are caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with left hallux valgus, and the Board finds that he is entitled to service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor or chronic disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted service connection and increased to 20 percent effective May 17, 2010. Right leg radiculopathy was also granted service connection effective the same date.

The Veteran's skin condition, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were all found to not warrant higher initial ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left upper extremity neurologic disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.