Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2014

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease resulted in reduced range of motion prior to February 6, 2013, but not severe enough for ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome. Since then, the condition has been manifested by a combined range of motion of at least 130 degrees.,The Veteran's right leg nerve damage (sciatica) associated with his lumbar degenerative disc disease was initially rated as moderate incomplete paralysis since February 27, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy, are being remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the causation and aggravation aspects of service connection. The case will be re-adjudicated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service and affording him all reasonable doubt.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, manifested by lumbar stenosis with sciatica, is not due to disease or injury incurred in service and cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner concluded that the current spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's nerve root compression at L5, which resulted in left lower extremity radiculopathy and foot drop. However, it denied service connection for his disc herniation at L4-L5.,The medical evidence suggests that the Veteran's back disability is related to his psoriatic arthritis and Methotrexate use, but not directly caused by his military service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another VA examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has determined that the claimant's right and left knee disorders, as well as his low back disorder, are at least as likely as not due to repetitive-type injury sustained during service. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are productive of loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As a result, the Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after this additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels. The issues of restoration of a 60 percent rating for degenerative changes to the T12-L1 vertebrae to include a post-operative surgical scar, higher rating for this condition, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the left leg are being remanded.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a head injury, as his current neck and upper extremity symptoms are not shown to be related to the head injury sustained in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back condition with right radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle osteoarthritis. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service connected and his right leg radiculopathy claim is denied. The case is remanded for additional development regarding an increased rating for right hip osteoarthritis, a TDIU claim, and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder; a heart disorder; and a right lower extremity disorder. The low back disorder was granted as service connected on a direct basis.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.