Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2014

The Veteran's increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain with DJD and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted, with a rating of 40 percent for each condition effective from May 9, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since May 5, 2009. The VA examiner found that the service-connected cervical spine disability alone severely impacted his daily life and limited his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2006.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy has not been productive of more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service or any service-connected disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper back and shoulders disorder is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, and lower spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the issue of service connection for a back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and sciatic nerve peripheral numbness in the lower extremities are service-connected. The disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is increased to 50% effective March 13, 2013.

The Board granted an increased rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity to 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as a herniated lumbar disc with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, warrants a 40 percent rating. He also has separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 40 percent effective January 14, 2011. The separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 14, 2011, was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being November 22, 2010. The conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining private records and scheduling a VA spine examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of any current back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion, as there is no medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his period of active duty in August 2006. The Board also found that there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his low back disorder and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete information and records.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected low back strain.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is related to his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.