Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his entitlement to a TDIU. The examinations will also determine if there is any new evidence warranting reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bulging L4-L5 disc with sciatica is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee disorder and sciatic nerve injury, finding that there is no current disability to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a keratitis condition is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety, is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities. The decision also notes that the Veteran likely cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance for an automobile or adaptive equipment, as his mobility issues are primarily due to nonservice-connected factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar strain with IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his back condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event and that the current disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease L5-S1 from March 27, 2013 was denied.,The Veteran's claims for separate ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including hearing loss, shoulder injuries, back pain, radiculopathy, and PTSD. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, effective May 19, 2009. A separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an opinion on which symptoms are attributable to the service-connected left foot sprain and whether they can be clearly separated from those of pes valgoplanus and lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of kidney stones with horseshoe kidneys was denied in 1986 due to congenital origin and treatment during service. New evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for a sleep condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal as to hepatitis C is dismissed. The appeals for service connection and rating increase related to the Veteran's low back condition, right leg radiculopathy, neuritis pain disorder of the right upper extremity, and residual scarring of the right hand are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating of cervical spine fusion. The Veteran's left and right upper extremity disabilities, rated at 20 percent each, are now granted with ratings of 30 percent (left) and 40 percent (right), respectively.

The Board has determined that new VA medical examinations are required for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is remanded for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 20 percent prior to February 28, 2011, and at 40 percent thereafter. The Board finds the evidence does not support a higher rating.,For her right shoulder disability, the Veteran was initially rated at 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201. Her current rating is also 20 percent.