Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis status post-surgery is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the entire appeal period. The Veteran’s benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and hypertension are denied evaluations greater than 10 percent. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity (prior to October 15, 2018) is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from that date. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (prior to October 15, 2018) and unspecified anxiety disorder with other specified insomnia are denied evaluations greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all issues related to her service-connected conditions, including evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves in both lower extremities, and acne. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 31, 2015 for service-connected disorders was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a timely application for benefits prior to his discharge from active duty on May 30, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been granted. The Board found that there was a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service injuries and his current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder degenerative changes, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and right leg sciatic condition and peripheral neuropathy (claimed as right leg nerve damage) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active military service.,Agent Orange exposure is conceded, but there is no evidence that peripheral neuropathy was diagnosed within one year after discharge from service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 20 percent prior to September 8, 2018 and from that date onwards. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus has been reopened but denied.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective from November 3, 2012 until February 15, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left leg radiculopathy, finding the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, thrombocytopenia, headache disability (secondary to cervical radiculopathy), and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are all granted as service connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for mid back pain with osteoporosis and lower back pain with osteoporosis, bilateral hearing loss, cystocele surgery scar complications, periodic limb movement disorder of the right and left lower extremities, and sciatica. The Veteran's examinations were cancelled due to scheduling conflicts, and she has shown good cause.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his conditions, as well as any additional disabilities associated with these service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left extremity radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for ratings higher than the current assigned ratings for low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of June 11, 2011 or the date following his last day of employment. The Board found that he could not secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable DCs.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left ankle disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his October 2018 Board hearing.,Service connection for low back disability, including degenerative disease, is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for lumbosacral strain is being remanded due to the need for a further medical opinion regarding his other back conditions and their relationship to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lower back condition and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU. The Veteran will need to undergo a new VA examination to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sciatic pain as secondary to a low back disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service-connected disability. Service connection was also denied for a low back disorder due to lack of medical nexus.