Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected left eye disability has resulted in visual acuity of 5/200 and his nonservice-connected right eye resulted in visual acuity of light perception only. A 100 percent rating for traumatic glaucoma and cataract of the left eye is granted from August 9, 2016.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for left arm and hand numbness was denied. An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for an increased rating in the Veteran’s lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging.,An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,An effective date of March 13, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for right arm nerve impingement. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,A rating of more than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging since January 2, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy since January 2, 2017, were denied.,A rating of 30 percent for GERD since March 13, 2017, and a rating of 50 percent for PTSD since March 13, 2017, were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's left eye loss of visual acuity claim requires additional evidence as there are no current records showing a diagnosed condition.

Your claims for service connection have been reopened and are being reviewed on the merits.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen your previously denied claims of low back pain, cervical radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, cervical spine conditions, and left shoulder injury, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected anxiety disorder and radiculopathy conditions, effectively dismissing all related claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including back, right hip, and knee disabilities. The main reasons are the inability to determine if these conditions were incurred during active duty due to incomplete personnel records from the Air Force Reserve and Army National Guard, and the need for further examinations to assess whether current disabilities are secondary to service-connected foot and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected low back degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, exercise-induced asthma, and chronic right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims, including treatment records indicating a diagnosis of PTSD. Secondary service connection was also granted for GERD. Other issues were remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The increased rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis, impingement syndrome, and bursitis is denied. The increased rating for low back trauma is also denied. Service connection for a left knee condition and bilateral foot condition are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his claim for a compensable rating for thoracic spine apophysitis. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's thoracic spine disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were both denied increased ratings. The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines for this condition.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance due to wear and tear of his clothing from using a back brace was denied because the evidence did not show consistent use of the brace, which is required for the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and an opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, prickly heat of back with tinea cruris (skin disability), and migraine headaches have been granted effective April 19, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for right knee lost extension has also been granted effective April 19, 2013.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy was granted an increased rating of 20 percent effective August 22, 2016.,The Veteran's left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were not granted service connection prior to July 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as secondary to her service-connected lumbar strain. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis is granted as service-connected, with a presumption of service connection due to the one-year post-service period.,The Veteran's PTSD prior to May 14, 2015 is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not caused him to be permanently bedridden or rendered so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person during the appellate period. The Board denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.