Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed as the VA has not yet examined him to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any additional private treatment records from his workman’s compensation claim.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to his diagnosed lumbar spine DDD.

The Board has determined that the reduction in ratings for radiculopathy of the upper extremities was improper and has restored the original ratings. The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at a 10 percent rating prior to October 22, 2012 and at a 40 percent rating from October 22, 2012. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the ratings for his radiculopathy claims.

The Board has granted a higher disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective from December 30, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, back disorder, and migraine headaches. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and its associated radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to insufficient review of his medical records and lack of supporting rationale in the previous examination.

The Veteran's back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation due to reported symptomatology changes. A VA examination is needed to assess the current nature and severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than May 11, 2011 for service connection are denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a back scar are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions including bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, heart disorder, sleep apnea, radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities, and GERD. The effective dates for awards are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, sinus disability, gastrointestinal disability, and hearing loss due to inadequate medical opinions in the December 2018 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, parasitic bowel disease (now claimed as IBS), and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete and contradictory VA opinions, as well as inextricably intertwined issues. A new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's back disability and left leg sciatica are related to his service.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, and diabetes mellitus are denied. Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each, effective from the date of the non-initial increased rating claims filed in March 2015.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has resulted in severe incomplete paralysis, but the current rating of 30 percent is not sufficient to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right knee and arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development. The issues include back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for left leg sciatica and right leg sciatica as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.