Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected left tibia and fibula fracture did not result in any compensable limitation of motion or impairment, as he underwent below the knee amputation due to peripheral artery disease.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy or hypertension related to service-connected diabetes mellitus, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional efforts to notify the Veteran of his requested Travel Board hearing at his previous home addresses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to locomote.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy of the lower extremities, both secondary to his service-connected fibromyositis of the lumbar paravertebral muscles.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew the issues of entitlement to service connection for atrial fibrillation, subacute peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity, and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left distal radius fracture, status post reduction, with degenerative changes.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. The claim for increased rating of the left foot disability (hallux rigidus with plantar fasciitis) is also granted.

Prior to July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,From July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 18, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be secondary to his service-connected back disability. However, the claims for increased ratings for the back disability, low back scar, pelvic scar, and left clavicle disability are all denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from August 9, 2012.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine disabilities was denied. The Board affirmed the denial, finding that pyramiding precluded separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current disability related to her inservice complaints of pelvic pain, which is necessary to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's address. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability with sciatica is found to be related to his in-service combat injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.