Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is denied for increased ratings for PTSD, left lower extremity radiculopathy (prior to April 18, 2013), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues are not related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left leg radiculopathy have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation since July 21, 2009. The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy has also been evaluated separately.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, schedule a VA examination for his left lower extremity sciatica, and determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU issue will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain has been rated as noncompensable, but the May 2012 VA examination revealed significant impairment warranting a compensable rating. The decision granted an increased disability rating of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's post herpetic neuralgia of the left sciatic nerve is manifested by pain and mildly decreased sensation, but no impairment of reflexes, weakness, atrophy or organic changes; it does not produce more than moderate neuralgia.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20% and separate ratings of 20% each were granted for upper extremity radiculopathy effective March 10, 2015. The reduction in the right knee rating from 30% to 0% is found to be void ab initio.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disc disease and cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's current disability is not related to his active service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability, diagnosed as radiculopathy, was granted by the VA in June 2015.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment during the period from April 4, 2009 to May 4, 2011 due to his service-connected low back strain with degenerative disc disease and mild paralysis of the sciatic nerve in the right lower extremity. The Board granted TDIU for this period.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU as he has one service-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more and his combined service-connected disabilities are rated at 90 percent. The evidence demonstrates that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for a VA examination in connection with his claim of service connection for a nervous disorder. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's low back disorder and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy are service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability. However, the left knee disorder is not service-connected.,Service connection has been granted for bilateral lumbar radiculopathy but denied for a left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with an effective date of January 2006, the day after separation from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing medical records and addressing his TDIU claim.

The Veteran does not have a current right hip disability, and the evidence does not establish service connection for any of his other claimed conditions. The Board finds that there is no basis to grant service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing due to his service-connected disabilities, but he is not eligible for a special home adaptation grant as his claim is moot.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a rating of 40 percent effective September 29, 2010. The maximum schedular rating for this disability is 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for C5-6 herniated disc, right shoulder dislocation and left upper extremity radiculopathy has been withdrawn by the appellant.