Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left foot neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are service-connected. The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings for the left foot and right leg conditions, and denied TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected right-sided sciatica and radiculitis, as well as his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with disc herniation. The evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent or 20 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's service-connected tibial and sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities has been granted. The right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent from August 28, 2009 until April 18, 2012, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter until October 3, 2014. The left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent prior to April 18, 2012, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter until September 13, 2016. The Veteran's loss of use of the right foot has also been granted.

Service connection established for lower extremity radiculopathy and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression).,A 40 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder prior to September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 10 percent rating was granted for the lumbar spine disorder as of September 23, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,A 60 percent rating was granted for the cardiac disorder prior to February 25, 2013. The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to incomplete examinations and the need for additional medical guidance.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and residuals of cold injuries to the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for sciatic neuritis. The claim for low back injury was not addressed due to pending development.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No claims have been decided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and extent of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and whether any left leg radiculopathy is related to his service-connected condition or active service.

The Veteran's neck disability, to include cervical degenerative joint disease and cervical degenerative disc disease, was granted service connection. The right shoulder and right arm disabilities were denied service connection.

The Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine conditions, along with related nerve involvement of his lower extremities, have been evaluated based on their current manifestations. The evaluations are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU, as his back and radiculopathy conditions are not found to be causally related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability did not manifest during service and is not related to any in-service injury or event. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is linked to service.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied. The TDIU claim prior to February 29, 2016, is also denied.

The Veteran's back disability, including LLE and RLE radiculopathy, is rated at 40 percent. The separate rating for LLE radiculopathy remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence has been denied as the evidence does not show that he required additional convalescence beyond May 1, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal primarily concerns ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, GERD, neck and low back disabilities, radiculopathies, acne scarring, circumcision residuals, and chicken pox. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings in some cases but not others.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability with separate ratings for radiculopathy of each lower extremity from December 3, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected lumbar spine disability was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for entitlement to TDIU.