Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing the Veteran with notice of his rights to submit lay statements from himself and others regarding his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 29, 2008. The Board has determined that the case should be remanded for further action including referral of the claim to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and lower extremity radiculopathy, have been granted. The Veteran served in combat and has a diagnosed PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including blindness and multiple musculoskeletal issues, meet the criteria for specially adapted housing/home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his chronic lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded as the RO incorrectly adjudicated other issues and failed to provide an adequate examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertonicity of the right plantar flexion muscle group, claimed as a right foot disability, is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's right hip disability is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and/or sciatic nerve paralysis, right lower extremity, associated with a lumbar spine disability. The Board has not made a determination on whether the Veteran's allergies and/or sinus disability are secondary to his service-connected scar, left nose.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran has neurological manifestations of service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disabilities have rendered him unemployable, effective March 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was denied. Initial compensable ratings were granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but the Board notes that these claims are still on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is productive of mild or moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal of the lumbar spine disability rating is dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current evaluation and only wishes to pursue his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected right little finger crush injury with residual scar and his claimed carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for large vessel disease, claimed as coronary artery disease, has been reopened. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 22, 2010 and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by herniated discs and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been rated at 60 percent since November 1995. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was reduced from 40% to 20% effective September 1, 2011. A separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his service.