Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his thoracolumbar spine disability and associated sciatica affecting both lower extremities are remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence. The propriety of reduction in evaluation for service-connected PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis lumbar spine with scoliosis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and a TDIU. The case is remanded to consider additional evidence received since the last rating decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's anxiety disorder has been remanded for further examination to determine its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the previously denied claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and right leg radiculopathy are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to insufficient medical evidence on file of current findings reflecting the nature, extent and severity of the Veteran's disabilities. The claims will be remanded for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to address service connection claims for sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, IBS, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The claims for right lower extremity radiculopathy and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from October 15, 2009 to January 10, 2017 is denied as the evidence does not show moderate or more severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran is currently rated at 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and 20 percent prior to July 31, 2013 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board has remanded these issues.,There is no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to April 1, 2011 for service-connected radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher initial ratings for lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the claims for service connection for headache disorder and a left knee disorder. The Veteran did not indicate disagreement with any of the four determinations made in the December 2018 rating decision.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's sciatic nerve disability rating from 20% to noncompensable effective August 1, 2019 was improper and restored the original 20% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative joint and disc disease and right leg sciatica as secondary to the thoracolumbar disability. The cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of mild degenerative joint disease with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The effective date for the award of service connection for a cervical spine disability is September 1, 1996. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are associated with his service-connected cervical spine disability. Service connection for glaucoma has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, nor housebound.,The Veteran is currently unemployed due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has remanded for an updated VA examination to determine if the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from performing occupational tasks.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of entrance examination records and to obtain an opinion on whether her cervical spine disability is related to or aggravated by service, as well as whether it is secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right ankle disabilities. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. His hearing loss and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted, but diabetes mellitus is denied.