Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current 20 percent ratings adequately reflect the functional impairment attributable to these conditions.,The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic and external popliteal nerves are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, limitation of motion of the thoracic spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The VA is required to obtain additional medical evidence and provide a new examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were denied as the medical evidence did not support the assertions of prior manifestations or higher disability ratings.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy should be remanded due to outstanding treatment records related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical records and need for additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity neurological conditions, and psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but the case is remanded for further examination and consideration of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities is granted effective January 8, 2016.,An earlier effective date for the lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for depression was granted. Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected lumbar myositis is also granted, and the rating reduction of lumbar myositis from 40% to 20% is restored.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's service connection claims are not granted as there is no evidence of left lower extremity sciatic or femoral nerve radiculopathy prior to October 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions in his VA examinations and insufficient evidence regarding certain disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left and right arm disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for left and right lower sciatica is remanded due to new evidence. The issues of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for each condition are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis did not worsen during service and that his current degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back strain.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the 10 percent rating for bilateral eye allergic conjunctivitis and blepharitis is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 40 percent for service-connected musculoligamentous strain, lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain with degenerative changes without radiculopathy is dismissed.,The Veteran's increased rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected left lumbar radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) is dismissed.,The Veteran's earlier effective date of March 4, 2010 for the grant of service connection for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and insomnia is granted.,The Veteran's increased rating of 10 percent for service-connected extensor tendinitis, right long finger, status post ganglion cyst is granted.,Service connection for alopecia areata is granted.

The reduction of the rating for service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome identified as a bulging disc at L3-4 and left L5-S1 with left leg radiculopathy from 60 percent to a 40 percent rating, effective August 1, 2012, was not proper; the 60 percent evaluation is restored, effective August 1, 2012. The Veteran's increased rating and TDIU claims are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective dates requested are not granted.,The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for left ankle disability is denied as there was no worsening of symptoms within the one-year appeal period.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and digestive disorder is denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disorder is not granted.,Compensable ratings for impairment of the left and right hip are not granted.