Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial disability ratings were denied. The VA examinations and medical records did not support the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's sciatica, claimed as leg and ankle pain, did not have its onset during active service and is not related to any incident of service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a separate rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and associated radiculopathy have not met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral hearing loss have been evaluated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that a higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 40 percent since April 9, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a supplemental examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify her.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy, left ear hearing loss, increased ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and PTSD, as well as compensable ratings for tension headaches and right ear hearing loss due to procedural reasons.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for neuropathy of the right lower extremity due to a December 1990 low back surgery was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted. The Veteran's sciatic nerve neuropathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 8720 (sciatic nerve neuralgia).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to his low back disorder have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected compression fracture, T7-T9 with spondylosis and IVDS, status-post laminectomy of the thoracic spine, is currently rated at 20 percent. The other issues are not addressed as they do not involve service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right lower extremity disorder, to include 'sciatic-like' pain, secondary to degenerative arthritis, post dislocation of the right ankle with torn ligament.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, effective July 9, 2012. His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent for each leg since September 13, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining updated medical records and scheduling her for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed gynecological and back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and SSA records and scheduling a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her left leg and back conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.