Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity disabilities, as well as a lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Board also denied the claim for secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that the Veteran did not have service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection were dismissed due to withdrawals by the Veteran or his representative. The appeal for secondary service connection for GERD was also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities has been denied. The effective dates for service connection have also been dismissed or denied.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for low back disability was denied. Separate initial ratings of 20 percent were granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but these are subject to regulations governing monetary awards.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied.,The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for right lower extremity sciatica and has remanded the issues of rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for ulnar nerve neurolysis, right upper extremity due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, was granted. The claims for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial evaluation higher than 20 percent prior to June 15, 2013 and to an evaluation higher than 40 percent on and after that date for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease; entitlement to an initial evaluation higher than 40 percent for service-connected left leg radiculopathy; entitlement to an initial evaluation higher than 40 percent for service-connected right leg radiculopathy; entitlement to a separate evaluation for left leg radiculopathy prior to September 15, 2014; and entitlement to a separate evaluation for right leg radiculopathy prior to September 15, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, left patellofemoral syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), allergic rhinitis, left palm ganglion cyst excision, herpes simplex, acne vulgaris, and uterine fibroids, have prevented the Veteran from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's RLE sciatica radiculopathy and left ankle disability have been granted initial evaluations of 40 percent and 20 percent, respectively, effective October 23, 2012.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for intervertebral disc disease and cervical radiculopathy have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, with radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with erectile dysfunction, sciatic nerve peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and status post right fibular head resection have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for epididymitis, service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, and service connection for a skin disability (eczema) have been dismissed.,The Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for back disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, and sciatica of the left lower extremity have been granted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities was granted initial ratings of 20 percent, effective from January 3, 2018. The prior rating decisions were denied.

The Veteran's IVDS is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent and supported by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial increased rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 10 percent and supported by moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial increased rating of 20 percent.,The Veteran's right ankle strain is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.