Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40% since October 2, 2015. The claim for an earlier effective date of May 5, 2004, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that the symptoms more closely approximated mild incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for IBS/diverticulitis is denied as the preponderance of evidence does not support an in-service incurrence.,Service connection is granted for right upper extremity neurological condition (radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome) related to her military duties as a nurse. The Veteran's current left upper extremity neurological condition remains unclear due to insufficient information from the VA examination report.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left upper extremity neurological condition is remanded, with an addendum opinion required to determine if she has such a condition and whether it is related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.,Claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right sciatic radiculopathy, and femoral radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. A rating of 20 percent is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy, but no higher.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded again for compliance with its prior remand directives due to inadequate examination findings regarding potential additional functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence review. The issues include back disability, headaches (undiagnosed illness), left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (undiagnosed illness), right upper extremity neuropathy (undiagnosed illness), right lower extremity radiculopathy (undiagnosed illness), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (undiagnosed illness).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (associated with lumbar strain), and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for increased ratings for right ring finger and thumb scars, and has remanded the remaining issues including service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination regarding his pes planus and left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain prior to March 6, 2018 was granted. The effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain were set at March 12, 2013.

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for weight gain is denied.,Service connection for right and left bunionectomies, status post hallux valgus, has been denied as the conditions are not diseases or injuries alone for which service connection may be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied compensation benefits for herniated disc and radiculopathy with foot drop, left lower extremity, as the Veteran's conditions were not caused by VA treatment or care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current conditions are related to his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).