Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for lumbar radiculopathy and denied his claims for service connection of lower back condition and neck condition. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and service, as well as no continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for bilateral knee braces was denied, but her claim for a back brace was granted due to wear and tear on her clothes.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and separate ratings of 20 percent are granted for radiculopathy in both lower extremities. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hand disability (including CTS), and bilateral lower extremity disability (including neuropathy and radiculopathy) as the evidence did not show a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and special monthly compensation have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurologic disability of the upper extremities, to include radiculopathy or peripheral neuropathy, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, is related to an in-service injury. The bilateral leg disorders, diagnosed as left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy, are proximately due to his back disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and bilateral knee disability are now rated at 20 percent each, effective September 25, 2018. A TDIU is granted from July 9, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and higher initial ratings for lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and issues related to service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and whether new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected. The cervical strain rating is granted at 30% effective June 18, 2018. Separate ratings are granted for right and left upper extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's service-connected lower extremity neuropathies and other conditions necessitate regular aid and attendance, which would affect his eligibility for SMC at a higher rate.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records pertaining to the Veteran's claims and that further examination is needed to determine if his knee conditions, back condition, and psychiatric disorder are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain, bilateral foot ganglion cysts, bilateral hip condition as secondary to a lumbar spine disability, and bilateral sacral radiculopathy. The decision found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 20% evaluation prior to February 26, 2018. The issue of higher evaluations for radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE associated with DJD remains remanded.

The Board has remanded all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development. The dismissal of the claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is due to a full grant of benefits in March 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic low back pain, right foot bunions, left foot bunions, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension, prohibited her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 2009. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for his service-connected conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for cervicalgia, tendonitis of the left shoulder, or radiculopathy of the LUE prior to specific dates.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and secondary service connection for a right lower extremity disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent effective July 30, 2018. The left leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The right leg radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. The TDIU claim was denied.