Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and individual unemployability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of left ear hearing loss was denied. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for postlaminectomy syndrome is granted, effective from the date of service connection. Appeals for ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities and knee strains are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need new evaluations and treatment records.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine with L5-S1 radiculopathy are granted service connection. The rating for the back disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and denied service connection for left ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for buttocks and left leg sciatic pain and numbness, diagnosed as left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent and the left lower extremity at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings are appropriate given the current findings.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy are rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's GERD is granted service connection. The lumbar spine disability is granted for a rating of 20% prior to May 12, 2016 and 10% thereafter. Radiculopathy in the left lower extremity is granted service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a 40% rating effective May 23, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating issues related to the Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC and Dr. P.I., and conduct additional development as needed.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and for effective dates earlier than December 7, 2011 for cervical spondylosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right shoulder arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased evaluations and service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding hearing loss, increased ratings for tinnitus, otitis externa, and hemorrhoids. The Veteran was granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for erectile dysfunction, rating of low back disability and psychiatric disability, and the effective date for a 40 percent rating for low back disability. The Veteran is to be scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his erectile dysfunction and the severity of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with degenerative joint disease and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded for further evaluation due to issues related to service connection, exposure basis, and rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder condition, respiratory condition (COPD), left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The reasons given were that the Veteran did not report symptoms related to these conditions until many years after service, and his work as a mason post-service was not considered strenuous enough to cause arthritis.

The Board has denied reopening the claim for service connection for Tietze's syndrome due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's other claims have been remanded for further development.