Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of both lower extremities, which qualifies him for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's left hip disability is granted, but her request for a higher rating for left sciatic neuritis and right hip strain are remanded. Her TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims have been remanded due to new evidence submitted, including a lay statement from another member of the National Guard who witnessed his in-service injury. The Board finds that this evidence relates the Veteran’s current lumbar spine disability to an in-service injury and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease with right foraminal stenosis, is granted as service connected.,Right sciatica neuropathy is granted as secondary to the Veteran’s service-connected low back disability.,Migraine headaches are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for updated treatment evaluations.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are secondary to his now service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. ,The Veteran's prostate cancer is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in service, and his erectile dysfunction is also service connected as it is secondary to his prostate cancer.,Service connection for a right knee disability and left knee disability are remanded.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy have been rated at 10% prior to December 22, 2017, and at 40% thereafter. The claim for TDIU has been denied prior to December 22, 2017, but granted from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification is needed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he failed to report for a VA examination without good cause, and the Board found that entitlement could not be established in this case without current VA examinations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted as service-connected. The claims for fibromyalgia and memory loss have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention or treatment related to this condition.,Service connection for a back condition, secondary to a left knee condition, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition occurred during or within one year after service.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning her Air National Guard and Reserve service periods.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are being remanded as the evidence does not support an earlier effective date.,The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are also being remanded due to insufficient medical records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, and the claim for cervical spine strain as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right total knee replacement, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral leg disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury with memory loss are denied due to lack of evidence of such condition.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction is rated at 20 percent and the claim for higher ratings remains pending.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity is not entitled to a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, femoral nerve is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, sciatic nerve is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy rating was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2017. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 20 percent rating.