Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with herniated disc and left leg radiculopathy was denied in January 2011. The appeal is being remanded.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, but the issue of secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction (presumed to be secondary to PTSD) remains unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was denied in June 2012, and no new and material evidence has been received since then. The claims for increased ratings of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities (right and left), and PTSD have all been granted. A TDIU is also granted.

The Board has denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for left hip limitation of extension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received after May 2016. The claims will be reviewed again and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's radiculopathy is also found to be related to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are both denied, as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues regarding service connection for PTSD, L5 bulging disc with arthritis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective dates for these conditions remain pending.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include low back strain and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has granted restoration of service connection for right and left sciatica (previously claimed as lumbar radiculopathy).,Severance of service connection was improper in both cases.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to an error in the VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lower extremity radiculopathy and back pain, prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 15, 2016. The Board granted the effective date of January 13, 2012 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the rating reduction for lumbar spine disability and increased ratings for radiculopathy in both lower extremities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further consideration of multiple issues, including a TDIU claim and the rating of various disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy, as they are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The VA will obtain all relevant records and provide a new examination to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, and the issues of rating his service-connected conditions were remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine compression fracture. The claim for a higher disability rating for the lumbar spine compression fracture is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30% rating, effective September 1, 2011. The right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 50% rating, effective June 27, 2015. The left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 40% rating, effective June 27, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his notice of disagreement with the May 2015 rating decision was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his right hand disability was denied as new and material evidence was not received.,His left arm disability, diagnosed as cubital tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy, is also denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection for neck spasms (spasmodic torticollis) is denied because there is no medical nexus between the condition and service exposure to herbicide agents.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, diagnosed as bipolar disorder, is denied without a finding of a causal link to service.