Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted effective dates of March 1, 2012 for the service connection of various disabilities including obstructive sleep apnea, neck disability, back disability, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for a lower left extremity disability, including as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The decision also denied service connection for peripheral vascular disease and radiculopathy related to lumbar DDD.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left foot and right foot disabilities, lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, as well as increased ratings for these conditions. The appeals are currently on appeal due to outstanding VA treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for various issues related to his spine, wrist, and hip conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous decision.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cervical strain was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right leg sciatica, and left leg sciatica due to inadequate development in a previous remand. The Veteran's lay testimony and medical records indicate he experienced back pain following service and during post-service visits. A new opinion is needed from an orthopedist regarding the etiology of his current diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, anxiety disorder, headaches, sleep apnea, shoulder strain, vertigo, back issues, sciatica, and nerve damage in the upper extremities, were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disability for some conditions (e.g., left ear hearing loss) or insufficient symptoms to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues currently before the Board, including those related to increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability beyond that of cervical strain, including degenerative disc disease, cervical radiculopathy, and arthritis due to conflicting opinions on the etiology of his condition. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain an adequate opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptoms prior to 1987.

The Board denied the claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in the range of motion findings and need for a retrospective opinion regarding pain on motion. The TDIU claim is also deferred until the increased rating claims are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sciatic nerve disability. The new opinion is needed to address whether the May 2009 cervical decompressive laminectomy caused or aggravated any existing right lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing clarifying opinions from VA examiners.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, heart disorder, sleep apnea, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's radiculopathy with atrophy, right lower extremity, was rated 10 percent; the rating for radiculopathy, left lower extremity, was also 10 percent.,The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder and found that the Veteran’s conditions were less likely than not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected adjustment disorder or bronchitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU, and his employment history does not reflect that he is unable to engage in substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, including delays in diagnosis and treatment. The issue of service connection for cystic acne is not addressed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his right shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability, caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, lumbar spine DDD, ED, and respiratory conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and chronic ethmoid sinusitis have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now receiving a noncompensable rating for chronic ethmoid sinusitis.