Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claim for a nerve disorder of the right upper extremity, including peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, due to exposure to tactical herbicides. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for an appropriate healthcare provider to review the claims file and provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's nerve disorder had its onset during service or is due to an event or incident of his period of active service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and the radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The TDIU was granted since December 7, 2011.,A separate rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to August 31, 2016, has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge.,There is no indication that the Veteran's current spine and radicular disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy, impingement syndrome of the left shoulder with osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral strain with mild DDD have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is scheduled for a VA examination to reconcile these findings and determine his current disability level.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's hip and back disorders are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional development. The Veteran is also seeking a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee disability have been rated, but the Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.,An effective date of August 22, 2003, has been granted for service connection of the right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip disability, a back disability with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathies.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating granted.

Service connection is granted for chronic cough, anal condyloma, erectile dysfunction (ED), fungal infection of the great right toe, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis (also known as pes planus).,The Veteran's anal fissure and oral squamous papilloma are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy/sciatica, left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining private medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his disabilities. The Board found that he was unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for SMC AA/HB is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence addressing her need for aid and attendance or housebound status based on service-connected disabilities alone.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 28, 2009 for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities. The earlier effective date was granted based on the Veteran's claim filed in March 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other disabilities have been rated as 100% disabling, qualifying him for special monthly compensation at the rate specified in 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim is dismissed because the criteria are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened and will be considered on the merits. The Board is unable to make a fully-informed decision without additional medical evidence regarding whether his current psychiatric condition is related to service.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied as there is no current disability in either ear, and any pre-existing left ear hearing loss did not worsen during service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to service. Service connection was denied for a bilateral leg condition other than lumbar radiculopathy.