Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected depression, spondylosis deformans of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities have all been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum available ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including consideration of whether separate ratings should be assigned for radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's sciatic nerve condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lung disability is rated at 60 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his other disabilities. The issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing. The claims of increased evaluations and effective date are pending.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right sciatica, which he contends are related to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed and the case is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip arthritis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, and ruptured right Achilles tendon, have resulted in loss of use of his right leg. As a result, he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on anatomical loss or loss of use of one leg at a level, or with complications preventing natural knee action with prosthesis in place.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure that all relevant evidence has been considered in connection with the Veteran's claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability with radiculopathy did not have its onset in service, manifest within one year of discharge from service, and is not shown by the competent and probative evidence to be the result of disease or injury incurred during the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and the need to obtain relevant treatment records. The claims will be adjudicated again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims regarding various disabilities, including knee issues, psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, allergies, back pain, sciatica, and hearing loss. The case is being remanded for a live hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to satisfaction with the decision and cancellation of scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of lumbosacral strain and extraschedular evaluation was denied. The issue of TDIU is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 60 percent disability rating. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to evaluate his lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and claimed acquired psychiatric disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post right knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease at L4, L5, and S1, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining employment history and treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact his ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent since July 28, 2010. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher schedular ratings for her right knee disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's hypertension was not service-connected.