Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2017

The Board denied separate ratings for right and left leg sciatica, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were consistent with lumbar radiculopathy only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and readjudication of the claims, including entitlement to service connection for headaches and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with DDD.

The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his left leg radiculopathy did not meet the criteria for a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than October 24, 2014 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and earlier than February 16, 2016 for the grants of service connection for left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy have been denied.,The effective dates cannot be earlier than the date of claim due to lack of evidence showing entitlement prior to those dates.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and associated radiculopathy were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or higher ratings.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica with weakness of the right calf muscle group XI is rated at 40 percent since May 19, 2014. His weakness of the left calf muscle group XI remains at a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with L-5 radiculopathy and consideration of additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain and right leg sciatica as secondary to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her service-connected major depressive disorder, low back strain with sciatica, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with arthritis, right hip bursitis, right hip limitation of extension, and right hip limitation of flexion; all of which are a combined rating of 80 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with radicular pain in both lower extremities does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated in service. The right wrist disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a statement of the case on several issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing and the Board considering it dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine DJD, without radiculopathy did not have onset during active service and was not caused by active service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including consideration of new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is etiologically linked to his service-connected low back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied a higher extraschedular evaluation for residuals of mechanical low back strain since January 8, 2010 as the Veteran's symptoms are adequately compensated by his currently assigned schedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 14, 2012.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal in a March 2017 statement, which included her name and case number.