Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board granted effective dates of July 16, 2008 for separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to an increase in the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and disability manifested by seizures. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy and scar, residuals of injury to dorsum of left hand, are not service-connected. The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy is denied as there is no evidence linking it to an in-service event or disease. His scar is granted a 10% rating.

The Veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been rated, with a temporary 100% rating for surgery convalescence from November 30, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Since January 24, 2019, he is not entitled to a higher rating for herniated nucleus pulposus and an initial rating in excess of 20% for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2016. From April 1, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 40% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and from November 8, 2016, he is granted a 60% rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica, finding that there is no current diagnosis of sciatica and noting that the Veteran's symptoms are attributable to his separately service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to the assigned dates have been denied as there is no evidence of a formal or informal claim filed before those dates.,PTSD was granted service connection in January 2013, and an earlier effective date has not been granted due to lack of a diagnosis at that time.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of neck disability, left arm pain, left shoulder pain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination conducted in March 2017 was inadequate and requires an addendum opinion to address causation, aggravation, and quantification of any aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Board also denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) and a bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20% each, but the Board finds that their current severity does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The reasons are that there is insufficient evidence to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sciatica of the left and right lower extremities due to incomplete development and lack of a rationale for relying on an old EMG.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a new VA examination due to previous examinations not complying with instructions. The case is also being readjudicated after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and ratings for certain disabilities. The specific issues include dental disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, ear infections, sleep apnea, arm and elbow disorders, frostbite residuals, low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, psychiatric disorders, pes planus, gout in the lower extremities, bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee arthritis, and right lower extremity nerve disorder as secondary to bilateral pes planus due to new evidence received after the July 2010 denial.

The Veteran's service-connected sciatic nerve radiculopathy and related conditions resulted in a total disability rating of 100% since March 6, 2017. The effective date for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities is set at March 6, 2017.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, as there may have been an increase in severity since the last examination.

The Board has denied a rating greater than 30 percent for left ventricular hypertrophy and has remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for reopening service connection, increased disability ratings, and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed these matters.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the appellant's current back disability is related to his period of ACDUTRA service, and whether his left leg radiculopathy is caused by or aggravated by his back disability.