Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbosacral strain and assigned a 10 percent rating effective May 21, 2015. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy, claimed as secondary to his service-connected total right knee replacement, is not warranted.,There was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current psychiatric disorder, including conversion disorder, is not related to service. However, the evidence supports a finding that his left leg radiculopathy is secondary to his service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted effective December 2, 2009. The effective date has been extended to include his prior claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues include increased ratings for PTSD, lumbar spine disability, right hip disorder, and sleep apnea; service connection for a right hip disorder secondary to lumbar spine or radiculopathy disabilities; and TDIU prior to August 27, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis with radiculopathy is secondary to her service-connected right ankle disability and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and associated left L5-S1 radiculopathy do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, diagnosed as lumbar spine strain with sciatica, is related to service and granted her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and chronic disability manifested by left arm pain, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for an increased rating for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, bilateral leg disorder (as secondary to lumbar spine disorder), syncopal attacks, and dizziness have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for mitral valve prolapse with syncope and dizziness.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical intervertebral disc syndrome and left upper extremity radiculopathy have not met the criteria for higher initial ratings under either the General Rating Formula or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.

The Veteran's cervical stenosis and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities are found to be related to his military service.,His lumbar degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, effective March 12, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic sciatica during or after service, and the current disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his authorized representative expressing a desire to withdraw all pending claims before the Board.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 27, 2013 for the grant of service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a grant of any benefits.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis residuals and his increased rating claims for lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, but granted a separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to June 8, 2017. Effective that date, he is granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity sciatica and left lower extremity sciatica as neurological manifestations of lumbar spondylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete or missing VA records, and to schedule a medical examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for a pulmonary disability, initial rating, and effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being considered, as well as his claim for TDIU.