Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of May 11, 2004 for the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his service-connected low back disability.

Your claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been granted, and it is no longer a matter under appeal.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen previously denied service connection claims for various conditions, as well as increased ratings and effective date claims, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain (low back disability) was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to February 19, 2016 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's thoracic syrinx (fluid on spinal cord) was not granted an increased rating.,A separate 10 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the lumbosacral strain (low back disability) prior to October 16, 2015 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, increased ratings for hearing loss and depression, initial ratings for back disability and radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA examinations will be scheduled to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on employment.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, and remands for further development are ordered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU due to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy, finding that it had its onset during his combat service in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 11, 2012, for service connection were denied.,An effective date of March 28, 2009, was granted for the grant of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his combined rating of 60 percent. The case is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, left foot disability, right foot disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability were denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his bilateral foot disabilities was also denied.

The Veteran's representative raised the question of the collective effect of his service-connected disabilities in determining whether he is entitled to a TDIU. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability due to further development and examination being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examinations due to the Veteran's statements suggesting a worsening of his conditions since the last VA examinations in August 2016. Updated treatment records and new examinations are needed.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss due to potential worsening of symptoms since his last VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeals for his claims of increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, and right lower extremity sciatic and sural nerve radiculopathy due to a favorable decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and surgical scar, lumbar region is remanded. The Veteran has not yet filed a notice of disagreement with the reduction of her left lower extremity radiculopathy rating.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.