Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted, with the effective date set at October 1, 2013.,Effective April 1, 2004, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was established.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for sciatic nerve dysfunction of the left and right lower extremities, as well as his low back disability, have been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine DDD was denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD, was also denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 2, 2012 for the award of a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Veteran's arthritis of the spine is service-connected, and his lower extremity radiculopathy is secondary to this condition.,Service connection for a right knee disability was denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for his daily needs without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a fracture of the left little finger, and the current disability requirement was not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and back disability are not related to service, and as such, denied his claims for service connection. The secondary service connection claim for depression is moot due to lack of established service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disability, which may be associated with service. The Veteran is requested to undergo a VA examination for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability, including lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was found to be productive of no more than moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 20% disability rating. The claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include a claim for an increased rating for sciatica, right lower extremity, and a secondary service connection claim for a right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to recent worsening of his lumbar spine and right lower extremity conditions, requiring new VA examinations. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with the rating issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of tinnitus. Service connection is denied for left arm disability, cervical radiculopathy, lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, skin disability, and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple upper and lower extremity problems, have caused him to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person from March 1, 2013 until his death. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective December 8, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation before and after November 20, 2015. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was evaluated as 20 percent disabling from April 26, 2005 to July 23, 2012; moderate incomplete paralysis since July 24, 2012 to November 19, 2015; and severe incomplete paralysis since November 20, 2015.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending as there was no evidence of a separate compensable evaluation for radiculopathy prior to July 12, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2017. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted effective from January 26, 2018. The Board finds no evidence of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, particularly regarding range of motion testing.