Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a current VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and perifolliculitis are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica and headaches, but denied the remaining issues. The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy is related to his active service, as are his headaches.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his knee and foot conditions, as well as claims for asthma, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and blurred vision. The Board has requested a hearing on these matters.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is aggravated by his service-connected GSW residuals with associated tibial neuralgia of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities was granted with an effective date of August 27, 1995.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(s) is denied as he does not meet the requirements for SMC based on his total disability rating due to PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities rated at less than 60 percent combined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right sciatica with hamstring spasms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including discogenic pain with radiculopathy status post L4-S1 laminectomy and discectomy with left L5 radiculopathy, had its onset during his active duty service. Therefore, service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability and sciatic radiculopathy was granted, with the effective date set at May 31, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder arthritis prior to September 6, 2011, and for a rating in excess of 40 percent since that date are both denied.,Service connection for sciatica secondary to the service-connected left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right sciatica and foot drop, as well as lumbar disc disease status post laminectomy of L4-5 are being remanded to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted based on direct service connection. No new evidence or changes in the rating system were noted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the extent and severity of his service-connected PTSD and whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and Social and Industrial Survey.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar strain with radiculopathy to the left is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination and possible need for new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due solely to service-connected disabilities in the year prior to his June 28, 2007 claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA purposes in either ear, and thus service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss. The other issues on appeal are also denied.