Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates prior to August 10, 2016 were denied.,VA found no evidence of a claim having been filed prior to August 10, 2016.

The Veteran's lower back condition is rated at 20 percent from September 7, 2017.,The Veteran's left leg condition is rated at 10 percent since April 9, 2010.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left foot, knee, shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and lumbar radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The decision is based on a lack of evidence demonstrating chronic disability or etiology related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent since December 3, 2007. The Board denied a higher rating for the cervical spine strain and GERD.,The Veteran’s TDIU claim was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as symptoms of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to a lack of objective evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his affective disorder (acquired psychiatric disorder) was denied. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities is granted, but the decision does not specify an effective date.

The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve, effective July 1, 2016, as there was no evidence of actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of cervical spine disability is pending and needs to be addressed.,The reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical spine disability, effective May 17, 2016, is also under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar sprain with residual myofascial pain and radiculopathy, right thigh due to inadequate examinations. The hearing examiner did not properly assess range of motion during flare-ups or consider the use of TENS units and narcotic pain medication. For the hearing loss claim, the Board has remanded as it is unclear if the Veteran's right ear hearing acuity meets VA standards for a disability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with her low back disability is granted a separate compensable rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral disorder and right-sided sciatica due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder impingement syndrome, left shoulder impingement syndrome, right elbow degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been granted initial disability ratings. The GERD has also been granted a higher initial disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee and leg disabilities, a sleep disorder, hypertension, and a sciatic condition. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was granted an effective date of February 13, 2014.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disability with IVDS and left lumbar radiculopathy is granted at 20 percent, but higher ratings are denied. The case is remanded for further evaluation of other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to assess the severity of his neck and right shoulder disabilities, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, moderate, right and left lower extremities are granted a disability rating of 40 percent each. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw her appeal regarding scoliosis and whether the disability rating assigned for GERD was clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The remaining issues, including those related to eczema, cervical strain/cervical radiculopathy, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease, right foot plantar fasciitis/residuals of bunionectomy, and other conditions, are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neurological residuals of a right cranial nerve injury had its onset in service and is granted. The left knee, right knee, back, chronic sciatic nerve pain condition, cataracts, chronic sinusitis, hypertension (high blood pressure), and psychiatric condition (PTSD) are remanded for further examination and opinion.