Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

Service connection is granted for low back arthritis and degenerative disc disease with associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection is also granted for an unspecified depressive disorder with anxiety as secondary to service-connected conditions, but PTSD remains denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and left sciatic nerve disability on an extraschedular basis, finding that the severity of these disabilities does not warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing, special home adaptation grant, or financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment. The decision is granted as these claims are moot due to his receipt of a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 27, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with one related to his service-connected lumbar spine and/or bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine with sensory neuropathy and radiculopathy, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Gulf War.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including kidney disorder, heart disorders, peripheral vascular diseases of various extremities, hypertension, and back disability, were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and clarification are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's back disability, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, left lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) nerve, and right lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) nerves. The rating for the back disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for right sciatica/radiculopathy and left sciatica/radiculopathy is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection and increased ratings for his gastrointestinal issues, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran has permanent loss of use of the right foot due to service-connected disability, and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and urinary incontinence. The main reasons for remand include needing additional medical evidence, considering an extraschedular evaluation for the lumbar spine condition, and obtaining a separate rating for urinary incontinence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for thoracolumbar strain and for service connection for a left hip disability and a right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to schedule VA examinations. The issues include back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since July 1, 2008. The decision is effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for a right knee condition, a right ankle condition, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Board denied service connection for low back condition, left knee condition, right foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.