Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right upper extremity disability claimed as secondary to his service-connected back or left leg disability, and remanded the issue of an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the issues of service connection for radiculopathy in both left and right lower extremities as these claims have been fully granted by a March 2014 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for cardiovascular disease and remanded the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and related conditions, as well as a bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder including sciatica, were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic diseases or injuries during service that could be linked to the current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, radiculopathy, muscle loss in upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy in lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, radiculopathy, muscle loss in upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy in lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, low back disability, wrist osteoarthritis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 31, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the evidence showing his service-connected conditions precluded him from sedentary employment.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for spondylolisthesis lumbosacral spine at L5-S1 and separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The evidence did not show more than moderate limitation of motion or flexion limited to 40 degrees.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew them prior to the decision. The Board also granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to multiple service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disorders on a secondary basis only, as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not cause or aggravate these conditions. The Board also denied service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities on a secondary basis only, as it was determined that this condition is related to his non-service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for dry mouth and bilateral CTS, as well as various rating claims. The Veteran's hallux valgus, pes planus, cervical spine conditions, and shoulder separation were all rated appropriately.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected left ankle DJD. Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities is denied.

The Veteran is service-connected for bilateral pes planus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and residuals of inguinal hernia. The combined evaluation is 50 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,Initial increased ratings for a left ankle disability and spine disability are dismissed.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 16, 2015, for the grant of entitlement to a TDIU is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 16, 2015, for the grant of DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied.

The Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities were denied service connection as they did not manifest to a compensable degree by the end of the applicable presumptive period or are not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied in December 1999 and again on September 5, 2001. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at September 5, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied as the condition has not been diagnosed and is not considered to be related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was denied due to the severity of symptoms being moderate.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.