Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to discrepancies in symptoms and need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for thoracic spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being addressed, as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.,Service connection was not granted for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and he seeks higher ratings for his sciatica. The VA examinations have shown that the Veteran has limited range of motion in his lower back but no additional loss of function or range of motion during repetitive use or flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are currently assigned the highest possible rating under their respective diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore denied his claim for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy effective from September 23, 2010. The Veteran's claim was received on March 31, 2010.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination regarding his service connection claim for a back disability. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's TBI, right upper extremity neuropathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities are all found to be related to his service.,His right knee disorder is also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically degenerative joint and disc disease, post-operative laminectomy discectomy L5-S1, left S1 radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he had forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine less than 30 degrees or ankylosis.,The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no objective medical evidence showing symptoms approximating moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, right leg radiculopathy and left leg radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy were found to meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating prior to October 7, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the Veteran's service-connected scoliosis. The effective date of service connection for scoliosis is set at April 17, 1989. The Veteran's initial rating for scoliosis was increased from 40% to 60% as of March 19, 2014.

The Veteran is found unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which include prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and various neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatic nerve impairment, associated with his service-connected back disability, is now rated at 20 percent effective March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee and left upper arm radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not show that they meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a compensable rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further evaluations. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after the development.