Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 11, 2012, as well as a rating in excess of 40 percent for DJD of the lumbar spine for the period beginning November 25, 2008, are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The RO implemented this decision by awarding benefits to the Veteran. However, the appellant is denied attorney fees based on past due benefits granted in the August 2016 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and denied service connection for sciatica. Migraine headaches are found to be etiologically related to service, while sciatica is not.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to March 25, 2010 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and related radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.,The Board found that no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim seeking entitlement to service connection for residuals of a back injury, including radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendonitis, but denied the claims of residuals of a concussion, left lower extremity radiculopathy disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy disorder. The Veteran's current right shoulder condition is related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased initial ratings for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete retrospective medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including service connection claims for sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and an increased rating for a low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease and lower extremity radiculopathy were denied increased ratings. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected low back and radiculopathy disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but there is no probative evidence showing that his low back brace causes wear and tear on clothing. As such, he is not entitled to annual VA clothing allowances for the years 2015 and 2016.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from February 8, 2015 until April 12, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing or following a substantial gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and osteoporosis due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient opinions in the January 2018 VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, sciatica, and diverticulitis. The claims are also remanded for an addendum opinion from the examiner on whether the service-connected ulcerative colitis caused or aggravated the Veteran's diverticulitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for a higher rating for post-operative degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with strain and for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, including consideration of special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of the foot prior to September 4, 2017. Further development is required as additional evidence has been added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to outstanding VA and SSA records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon disability is denied as there is no evidence of current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and rating considerations due to the need for updated assessments of his service-connected disabilities, particularly those affecting his knees and hips. The issues include increased ratings for various knee and hip conditions.

The Veteran's claim for left clavicle fracture residuals and left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was reopened, with the former granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The claim for DM was also reopened, but denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's spondylosis with spondylolisthesis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as a remand for TDIU. The issues of service connection and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of PTSD was dismissed. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, radiculopathy, and PTSD preclude him from performing any type of employment due to his physical limitations and mental impairments.