Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and work background prior to August 29, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to her service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU, but she was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her employment history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities were principal or contributory causes of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his claims, including a potential SMC claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic neuropathy and PTSD, are found to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran is granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as these conditions are proximately due to his previously service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's low back disability has not manifested ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.

The Veteran's right finger fracture resulted in a 10 percent rating, which was restored.,Prior to September 22, 2015, the Veteran's right shoulder disability warranted a 30 percent rating. From that date forward, it warranted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service.,The Veteran's Bell's palsy is not etiologically related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective April 24, 2008. He also experiences neurological impairment from the low back disability manifested by radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rated as 20 percent disabling since October 6, 2010, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity rated as 10 percent disabling since April 24, 2008.,The Veteran's lumbar strain is currently rated as 40 percent disabling, effective April 24, 2008. He also experiences neurological impairment from the low back disability manifested by radiculopathy of the left lower extremity rated as 20 percent disabling since October 6, 2010.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent effective June 23, 2015. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent from May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic headaches and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disease, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 40 percent since December 28, 2004. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions effective from December 28, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disk disease with anterolisthesis and right lower extremity radiculopathy have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including associated right lower extremity sciatica, is found to have originated during service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination for the Veteran's back disability and hepatitis, and because private medical records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hemorrhoids, a left brow scar, and lumbar strain with spondylosis and associated bilateral radiculopathy have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to separate ratings of at least 10 percent each for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective from January 17, 2014.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's service-connected MDD is manifested by symptoms including depressed mood, anxiety, chronic sleep impairment, mild memory loss, disturbances of motivation and mood, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective relationships.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 60 percent, effective September 2, 2014. The scars are rated as 10 percent disabling.