Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records and private medical records. The appeals are therefore being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for multilevel lumbar spondylosis with herniated disc at L4-L5 and left lumbar radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability has been denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the condition does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.,Service connection for right lower extremity sciatica prior to March 14, 2016, has also been denied. The Veteran's claim was remanded multiple times but did not provide sufficient evidence of a pre-existing condition or an in-service injury that led to his current symptoms.

The Board determined that the March 2010 rating decision, which assigned a 10 percent initial rating for myofascial lumbar syndrome with right leg radiculopathy, did not contain clear and unmistakable error. The Veteran's service-connected onychomycosis was granted, but his service-connected thyroid condition and hypertension were denied.

The Veteran's back disability has been granted a 20% rating, effective as of the date of this decision.,A separate compensable rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to October 6, 2017 is denied. A higher than 10% rating thereafter is also denied.,Service connection for hemorrhoids has been remanded and a VA medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to May 14, 2010 did not preclude him from all forms of gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar fusion, left leg radiculopathy, right leg radiculopathy, and depression due to a lack of service treatment records. The Veteran reported an in-service fall during basic training which he believes caused his current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to the reduction of his disability rating for recurrent low back strain and claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined and requires further action, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent prior to January 5, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter. The Board has found the evidence does not support higher ratings for this condition.,For the period beginning on January 5, 2017, the Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating of 100 percent as total occupational and social impairment is not shown.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or post-service, and the Veteran did not provide credible evidence to support his assertions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including liver disorder, radiculopathy in multiple extremities, and renal cysts. The remand is due to missing VA medical records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected DMII aggravated his renal cysts.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the conditions and rating he was seeking.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right leg condition, and sciatica as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's depression disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His atrial fibrillation disability is rated at 100% since August 9, 2012 due to chronic congestive heart failure and regurgitation valves. Other conditions are denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar stenosis and spondylolithesis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right-sided sciatica was denied. The rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right-sided sciatica from May 9, 2012 to September 24, 2014 was granted at a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on aid and attendance are remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic bilateral lower extremity lumbar spine radiculopathy is denied. The rating in excess of 20 percent prior to May 11, 2009, and in excess of 40 percent afterwards, for a lumbar spine disability is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the cause of death and its relation to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, left foot scar, intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have all been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these grants are not earlier than February 13, 2003 (depressive disorder), June 17, 2015 (left foot scar), May 9, 2012 (intervertebral disc syndrome/lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities).,The Veteran's depressive disorder has been rated as 70 percent disabling. The Board denied an initial rating greater than 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lower back, degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lower back, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The conditions are considered to be related to service.