Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher disability evaluation for low back strain and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating beyond 20 percent for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable prior to December 15, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical strain and upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no further increase in rating possible.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied as there is insufficient evidence to establish that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

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

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Further, the Veteran’s claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back and neck disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lower back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete records.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 27, 2011 for service connection for peripheral neuropathy due to sciatic nerve involvement of the left lower extremity. The appeal regarding entitlement to an earlier effective date of service connection prior to February 27, 2012 for peripheral neuropathy of the right sciatica is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent evaluation, but not more. The Veteran's partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal regarding the propriety of a combined evaluation of 90 percent assigned as of October 1, 2010. The RO applied the Combined Ratings Table correctly and determined that the Veteran’s combined rating was 90 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and sciatica. The VA needs to obtain medical records from SSA and provide a medical opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was granted a disability rating of 10 percent effective June 13, 2017. The reduction from 20 to 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is upheld.

The Veteran's left lumbar sensory radiculopathy and IVDS of the lumbar spine were previously rated, but a remand is required to obtain additional information about functional loss during flare-ups prior to October 20, 2016.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lumbar sensory radiculopathy, L3-L4 associated with IVDS of the lumbar spine beginning April 30, 2009 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his right lower extremity radiculopathy with foot drop is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and the availability of outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 24, 2010 for the award of a separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from May 12, 2017. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy received a 20 percent rating as well.,For the period prior to December 21, 2016, the Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for his right forearm condition with painful motion and limitation of extension.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar disc disease and related conditions, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the Veteran's bilateral knee and left shoulder conditions. The issues of service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and left shoulder condition are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and neuropathy of his extremities, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower lumbar radiculopathy, temporary total rating based on the need for convalescence after March 16, 2012, and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of his spouse have been withdrawn. The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis lumbosacral spine has been granted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and other trauma and stressor-related disorder, type II diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (sciatic nerve), diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve), diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity (femoral nerve), and diabetic neuropathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) are being remanded for further evaluation.