Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for bilateral leg braces and forearm crutches, finding that VA did not issue them in connection with service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% rating, and the claims for lumbar spine radiculopathy and cervical spine radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an effective date of November 4, 2008, for his service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The effective date is based on the date he filed his original claims for service connection for a neck condition and service connection for a lumbar spine condition.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were granted a 10 percent rating prior to December 14, 2015. The decision is based on the Veteran's complaints of low back pain radiating into both buttocks.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has dismissed all five issues of increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right shoulder, hip, knee, stomach, leg sciatica, memory loss, low back, and right ear hearing loss disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lower extremity numbness (lumbar radiculopathy), and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an examination regarding the Veteran's reproductive system disability, heart valve replacement, and sciatic nerve damage. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve neuropathic pain syndrome of the left lower extremity is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, while his right lower extremity and external cutaneous nerves are each granted a non-compensable rating. The femoral nerve conditions remain at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding in-service and post-service symptomatology.

The Board has restored the original ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of improvement to warrant a reduction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his claims, including a TDIU claim. His left lower extremity radiculopathy continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, right knee, bilateral shin splints, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The denial is based on a lack of current diagnoses or persistent/recurring symptoms.,Service connection was also denied for a low back condition and right leg sciatica secondary to the low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated based on their current manifestations. Service connection for a neck disability, which is claimed as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, is remanded.