Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are not service-connected as there is no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year thereafter. The VA examiner opined that the current spine conditions are less likely related to any event or spine condition noted in service.

The Veteran's low back disability, along with other service-connected conditions, rendered him unemployable starting from September 2002. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 2, 2003.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder. However, there is no evidence of a current right knee disability and the VA examiner opined that any right knee symptoms are likely due to age and everyday use rather than service connection.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran is entitled to financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, as well as a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on his need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both feet.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for IVDS. The other issues have not been granted as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology and examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of either foot or hand, and therefore he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a video conference hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after scheduling the requested hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are adjudicated on the basis of a complete record.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disease, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, combined at a 50 percent evaluation, substantially prevents him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2014. The Veteran was awarded service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his right lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability present, as well as evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic low back strain is being remanded due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has granted an initial disability evaluation of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 18, 2007.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and granted.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 25, 2007 for the grant of service connection for post-arteriovenous malformation of the spinal cord and polyradiculopathy of the right leg and left leg were denied as there was no evidence of an earlier date on which entitlement could be established.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to cervical spine degenerative intervertebral disc disease with left upper radiculopathy, residuals of left shoulder decompression with impingement, and bilateral knee arthritis.