Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The rating for his cervical spine disability is granted at 40 percent, effective from the date of decision. Ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claim for an earlier effective date was denied because there was no CUE in the January 1993 rating decision that initially denied service connection, while the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied as the Veteran did not have this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The right lower extremity neurological condition and ulcerative colitis with reflux and anemia, aphthous sigmoid ulcers, and nodular mucosa are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and missing STRs. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and right leg radiculopathy/neuropathy are being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy is granted as service-connected due to the effects of his military occupational specialty (MOS) as a cannon crewman. Service connection for depressive disorder and PTSD, including right shoulder injury secondary to cervical spine disability, is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD is granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. His cervical strain was rated at 20% effective February 26, 2019, with additional radiculopathy ratings for the right upper extremity and left lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Degenerative Disc Disease with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and Diabetes, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's back scar is not considered for a compensable rating.,Effective December 25, 2013, the Veteran received increased ratings of 40 percent for low back strain with IVDS and 20 percent each for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, is now service connected.,The radiculopathy affecting the Veteran’s bilateral lower extremities is also now service connected.,The left knee degenerative joint disease is now service connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral lower extremity sciatica and lumbar spine disorder were denied as there was no evidence of an increase in disability that occurred prior to the effective date assigned.

The Veteran's gout was not present in service and is unrelated to service.,A cervical spine disability, low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were not present in service or within one year following separation from service. The Veteran’s disabilities are not otherwise related to service.,Sleep apnea was not present in service and is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted beginning December 11, 2018.,Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted.

The Veteran's 40% rating for cervical strain with DDD is restored from April 1, 2016. The 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and the 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 23, 2018, for the grant of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis status post T8-T9 decompression with T7-T10 fusion for thoracic myelopathy and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, finding that they are not proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected lumbosacral spine strain.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right leg radiculopathy are granted as service connected. The conditions are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, upper extremity neurological disorder (including cervical radiculopathy), headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and left shoulder disorder, as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities and associated falls.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent, but is not entitled to a higher rating.,The Veteran's bilateral flatfeet with residuals of heel spurs prior to July 25, 2019 have been rated at 10 percent, and are not entitled to a higher rating from that date. From July 25, 2019, the Veteran's condition has been rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, but is not entitled to a higher rating.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus requires treatment with oral hyperglycemic agent and a restricted diet, and is not entitled to a higher rating.,Service connection for gastrointestinal condition, thyroid condition, and acquired psychiatric condition (PTSD and anxiety disorder) are remanded.