Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claimed left leg radiculopathy and cervical spine disorder are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to her military service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and considering whether an increased disability rating is warranted. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Services if a schedular award of TDIU is not possible.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased initial ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint of the right shoulder, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and residuals of a pudendal nerve injury. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and cervical spine disorders are not related to his service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the issues of service connection for a low back disorder, left knee condition, paralysis of the sciatic nerve, and substance abuse. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including tension headaches, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and cervical spine disability, did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 5, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining additional medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, bilateral heel spurs with plantar fasciitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbar laminectomy have been granted a TDIU and secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The rating for residuals of lumbar laminectomy remains at 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination and other issues.

The Veteran's low back strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were evaluated, but his claims for increased ratings were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and sciatica, is related to his in-service experiences. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for a low back disorder and sciatica of the right lower extremity, as these conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as of March 26, 2015.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted a 20 percent rating for her service-connected cervical spine disability with radiculopathy of the arms, effective from October 10, 2008. She is also granted TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.