Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, sciatic nerve impairment, cervical spine disorder, and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions and missing private treatment records.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy as of July 20, 2015. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded to the Director, Compensation Service, for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 12, 2012 and at 20 percent thereafter. The rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is also 20 percent.,An effective date earlier than March 15, 2016 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened, and additional VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records are needed to determine the current severity of his disabilities. The issues will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD on a secondary basis as it was caused by the Veteran's spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for a back condition has been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD and insomnia has been denied. The Veteran is also not entitled to increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability or coccygeal fracture residuals.,His bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, recurrent sinusitis was granted service connection, and other issues were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate diagnosis of these conditions.,For bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, the decision is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an adequate opinion regarding the nature and etiology of this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show moderate or severe incomplete paralysis of the nerve group, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. However, the claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding development needs.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of December 6, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as of this date.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection as they have already been granted by the RO.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, as well as a review of his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's OSA was granted as it had its onset during active service and is related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine discopathy, herniated disc, and radiculopathy were granted due to the continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic rhomboid muscle strain and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The initial 10% rating for chronic rhomboid muscle strain is maintained, but a separate 10% rating is granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity effective October 30, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding it related to a motor vehicle accident in service. Service connection was denied for spina bifida occulta due to its preexistence and lack of aggravation during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found that the failure to appear at the examinations resulted in a denial of his claims.