Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was granted. Service connection for lumbosacral spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for low back disorder and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of a nexus between current disabilities and in-service events.,While the Veteran suffers from current back conditions, there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's right side sciatica is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is now rated at 40 percent effective October 22, 2018. Service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the other issues due to incomplete rationale in the VA examination reports.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 8, 2008. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy prior to this date.

The Board granted the Veteran a TDIU based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability and hearing loss, which prevented him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation. The decision also addressed an increased rating for the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that an updated VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's radiculopathies and whether he is entitled to separate ratings for additional nerve impairments. The RO should also adjudicate his entitlement to service connection for mild left incomplete paralysis of the musculocutaneous (superficial peroneal) nerve and mild left incomplete paralysis of the internal poplitea (tibial) nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the femoral nerve, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity involving the femoral nerve, osteoarthritis of the right knee, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and tinnitus, render him unable to obtain substantial gainful employment. As a result, the Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected chronic muscle spasm of the right lumbar region.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a 40% rating for her low back disability from March 29, 2006 to May 17, 2012. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU effective May 17, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical spine surgery in 2002 resulted in complications, including nerve damage affecting his neck and upper extremities. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an independent medical expert opinion regarding the cause of these additional disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hand disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee pain, sciatic nerve condition, lumbosacral strain, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and migraines are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeals for several issues, including his claims for increased ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have made him unable to work full-time since 2015. The Board has remanded the case for further adjudication of TDIU eligibility under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current low back disability with radiculopathy and his military service, thus denying the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity and radiculopathy, middle radicular group, left upper extremity are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss of the left ear, hypertension, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete information.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, PTSD, and hearing loss of the right ear are also being remanded.