Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2016

The Board found no competent and credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica of the right lower extremity, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable without regard to advancing age.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for diarrhea, fatigue, GERD, back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome affecting the bilateral upper extremities. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, gall bladder polyps, sprained ribs, and an initial compensable rating for hypertension.

The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current low back disability to his military service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a missed VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide updated contact information and must keep VA informed of his current address.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the right leg at a Travel Board hearing, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine effective August 19, 2014. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is separately rated and no additional compensation is warranted.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 31, 2010, for the awards of service connection for left knee laxity and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted.,Effective October 4, 2004, the Veteran was awarded service connection for these conditions. Effective March 31, 2010, he received a 10 percent evaluation for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is related to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with strain. The claim for a higher evaluation for the lumbar spine disability prior to March 7, 2014, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum VA examination.

The appellant is at least as likely as not in need of aid and attendance based on physical incapacity, which requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect the claimant from hazards or dangers incident to her daily environment. The Board finds that she needs regular aid and assistance due to medical conditions such as dizziness, imbalance, angina, fatigue, dyspnea, pain, numbness, and falls.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The TDIU issue remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability. The remaining claim of a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected cervical spine disability prior to September 1, 2014, and in excess of 10 percent from that date has been granted.

The Board granted an effective date of September 16, 2009 for the assignment of a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability and service connection for left foot drop and right-sided sciatica. The effective dates for these ancillary claims were also granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and arthritis of the bilateral hips. The Veteran's claims for other disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability has been reopened and is granted. The Board finds that the evidence raises a reasonable possibility of establishing the claim, as it indicates that the Veteran's (variously diagnosed) lumbar spine disability may be related to service. The Veteran also received an additional 10 percent rating for left knee instability from April 24, 2012 through March 25, 2013.