Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's increased ratings for right and left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy with adhesive capsulitis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.,The Veteran's freestanding claims for service connection of PTSD, allergic rhinosinusitis, cervical spinal stenosis with spondylosis, lumbosacral strain and thoracic spondylosis with radiculopathy, right ankle strain, left ankle strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of broken right arm, broken ribs, a right foot injury (including broken toes), a back disability, and a right leg disability (to include as secondary to a back disability). The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and obtain additional medical records in order to properly assess his claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, low back condition, radiculopathy, left knee condition, right knee condition, and right shoulder condition.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's lower back disability and radiculopathy claims, including VA treatment records and any relevant private treatment records. The AOJ will attempt to obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for an examination with an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's GERD developed during service and is granted service connection.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.,For the lumbar spine disability, a higher rating than 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis. For left lower extremity sciatica (left lower extremity radiculopathy), a higher rating than 10 percent is also not warranted as there is no moderate, moderately severe, or severe incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's right and left pes planus and hallux valgus are denied service connection. Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies due to conflicting evidence regarding their severity and location.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective July 3, 2019. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. Lucie Medical Center on September 26, 2017 are denied because the condition was not of such a nature that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected delay in seeking immediate medical attention to be hazardous to life or health and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU due solely to his service-connected back disability has been granted from October 30, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of low back pain and remanded other issues related to heart disease, hearing loss, radiculopathy, and TDIU. The Veteran's claims are pending due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's low back disorder is granted service connection.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has found that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations related to his hypertension, lumbar spine disability (including radiculopathy), and polyneuropathy claims. The appeals are therefore remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, sciatic nerve damage of the right lower extremity, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were received on November 15, 2010. The effective dates for the awards of service connection are set at that date.,There is no evidence of any prior claim or communication indicating an intent to apply for service connection for back disability or lower extremity neurological disability before November 15, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), scar of the right anterior base of neck, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remand requires additional opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board's decision dismissing the Veteran’s appeal of his service connection claims for a low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is vacated. The issues are now remanded due to lack of complete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of lower back spasms, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.