Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, a left shoulder disorder, and a thoracic spine disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected lumbar intervertebral disc disease with herniation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back conditions and their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various diagnosed back disabilities, including scoliosis, degenerative arthritis, mechanical back pain, lumbar spondylosis, and lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left sciatica has been granted. The Board also found in favor of the Veteran on her claim for gynecological disability, including residuals of ovarian hydrosalpinx, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted service connection for left-side L5 radiculopathy, but the issues of service connection for a genitourinary disorder and right foot disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and other conditions contributed to his death from acute fentanyl intoxication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left total knee arthroplasty and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities, resulted in permanent effective loss of use of one or both feet. The Board granted eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile due to this finding.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities, and for increased ratings for PTSD, traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine; residuals right knee injury; right inguinal hernia; fracture of the left index finger; and tinea versicolor.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for hypertension and erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for spondylolisthesis, radiculopathy, sciatica, nonservice-connected pension, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for his service-connected psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral legs, TBI, and lumbar spine disability. The claims were based on impermissible freestanding requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion for revision of an August 2013 rating decision that reduced his lower back disability rating from 40% to 20%. The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in applying the law at the time.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are all granted. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective March 28, 2012. However, the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine discectomy intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) from March 28, 2012 through November 31, 2014 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for a VA examination to address the etiology of his cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for restricted lung disease (COPD and bronchial asthma) has been withdrawn. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, left knee degenerative joint disease, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for left knee degenerative joint disease has been granted. The issues of service connection for traumatic brain injury, tinnitus, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and migraine headaches have all been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating reached 60% on September 3, 2014, allowing for a TDIU. His service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy since September 21, 2016. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her DDD with IVDS was denied. Separate ratings of 10% each were granted for radiculopathy in both lower extremities as of February 6, 2015. A TDIU was granted effective July 13, 2016. The issue of an earlier effective date for the TDIU is still pending.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA or private treatment records, as well as potential flare-ups. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of her disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board has denied a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to November 18, 2016 and since then.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joint.,Service connection is denied for arthritis other than arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, or sacroiliac joints, swollen joints, and hypertension.