Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran is granted an effective date of February 1, 2011, for the grants of service connection for multiple disabilities.,The Veteran is granted an effective date of May 6, 2013, for the grant of a 10 percent rating for psoriasis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, neck, and left foot disabilities are not related to service or any other service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively, for left S1 radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy. The evidence does not show symptomatology that equates to moderately severe or moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent each, based on mild symptoms of radiating pain. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability-related radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent since March 2017, and the Board finds no evidence of symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on a schedular basis and therefore denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and the provision of appropriate notice regarding his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were found to warrant increased ratings of 20 percent prior to January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from June 13, 2007. A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted from March 23, 2010 to August 2, 2011.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2011.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a valid diagnosis of left lower extremity radiculopathy during the appeal period, and therefore denies the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosed disability of right upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran has been granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder including depression and PTSD, but the condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are now being considered on their merits.,Service connection has been granted for left knee disability, right knee disability, chronic vaginitis, chronic UTI, GERD, IBS, hemorrhoids, thyroid condition, and sciatica.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his service-connected right arm radiculopathy and whether separate ratings may be warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining outstanding records and a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service motorcycle accident and coccyx injury.

The Veteran's left lower extremity neurological disorder is rated at 20 percent from September 12, 2011 to April 4, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The combined effect of his service-connected disabilities does not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to his lumbar spine disability), and right lower extremity vascular condition have been granted. The Veteran also has a current diagnosis of hearing loss but does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis was denied, as there is no evidence of a current sinusitis disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are found to be related to a period of INACDUTRA during service, resulting in service connection.,Major depressive disorder is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, leading to service connection for this condition.,Left leg numbness (sciatica) is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, resulting in service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability. The case will be returned to the Board after any additional development.