Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disorder and for TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence linking the claimed conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied clothing allowances for knee braces and insoles, but has remanded the issue of back brace allowance due to lack of clarity in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent prior to November 1, 2012. The Veteran also receives a TDIU effective March 31, 2012.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck pain, buttocks pain (radiculopathy), groin pain, and headaches. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination findings, inextricably intertwined issues, and need for further development of medical evidence.,The Board is also remanding the claim for TDIU as it is derivative of other claims currently before the Board.,All relevant treatment records must be obtained, including private records not already obtained.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, as the Veteran's in-service lumbar strain was not shown to be related to her current back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the saphenous nerve was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for headaches, which are claimed to be secondary to his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, knee, hip, and radiculopathy conditions, are so severe that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and issues needing further consideration. The claims for service connection, disability rating, TDIU, and adaptive equipment are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded because the current service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that more evidence is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and low back conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The main reasons for remanding are for new examinations, especially concerning the lumbar spine and allergic rhinitis.