Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the appeal is remanded due to new evidence being added to the record after the May 2015 SOC.

The Veteran's PTSD and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been rated, with some issues granted and others denied. The rating for PTSD was increased to 50 percent in October 2008 and then to 70 percent effective from that date onwards.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his active military service, as there was no evidence of injury or disease in service that could have caused these conditions.,Service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and spine disorders due to potential issues with causation and aggravation, as well as a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by his knee braces and topical medication for service-connected conditions. The Board granted a clothing allowance for the damage caused by the knee braces, but denied the claim for the topical medication.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 20, 2012. The initial compensable rating for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis was granted effective December 3, 2015. The effective date for right L5 radiculopathy has been set to July 24, 2008.

The Veteran's low back disability is now rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is now rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 2, 2001 for the 20 percent disability rating and April 12, 2006 for the 40 percent disability rating for healed compression fractures T8 and T9 with degenerative changes to L4 and L5, herniated disc, arthritis, lumbar spine strain was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 12, 2006 for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with involvement of sciatic nerve of the left and right lower extremities was denied.

The Veteran's right hip disorder and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy were granted service connection. However, the rating for his lumbar radiculopathy was denied prior to April 3, 2013, but granted as of that date with a 40% rating.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral and sciatic nerves, as well as external popliteal nerve in both lower extremities, has been granted initial ratings of 20 percent effective September 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus remanding for a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current back disorder is related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical disc disease, lumbar disc disease, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The conditions are related to an in-service injury during active duty.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates related to his right foot drop, sciatica, and sciatic sensory radiculopathy as there is no longer a case or controversy due to the appeal being fully adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity neurological disorders, including radiculopathy. The remand requires an addendum opinion to address whether his diagnosed conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected osteoarthritic changes of the sacroiliac joints.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, low back disability with sciatica, and PTSD. Service connection was denied for right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to lack of factual ascertainability of increased ratings within one year prior to the date of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the severity assessment of his radiculopathy and for additional medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder and hearing loss in the left ear have been granted. The lumbar spine disorder is related to an injury sustained during service, while the hearing loss claim requires additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to new evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran will be provided a new SSOC with consideration of the newly received evidence, and he will be scheduled for an appropriate VA examination to assess his radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied ratings higher than the current 10% evaluations. The effective dates for service connection are established.