Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 20 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has denied service connection for sciatica, left lower extremity due to lack of a current disability. The claim for snoring and breathing problems (claimed as sleep apnea) is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on several service connection issues, and the Board is dismissing those claims. The claim for an increased rating for postoperative ventral hernia with scar is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to the need for additional examinations. The Veteran is currently service-connected for inguinal hernia, back disability, right knee limitation of extension, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper lip scar, and right forearm scars.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20% and a separate 10% rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity as a neurological complication of his low back disability has been granted. The ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees and dyshidrotic eczema remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for a VA annual clothing allowance for the year 2016 due to use of back and wrist braces is denied as her fabric-covered braces do not cause irreparable damage to her outer clothing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches and granted his claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy. However, the effective dates for these grants are denied as they are without legal merit. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective July 28, 2015. The rating remains denied for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent prior to that date.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as service-connected, effective from the date of his separation from active duty.,A 10 percent disability rating for sciatica is granted, effective January 13, 2011. The low back condition remains at a 10 percent rating.,Service connection for the Veteran's low back condition is granted with an earlier effective date of January 1, 2009.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria. The ratings for his lumbar spine disability and sciatica of the right leg are both denied as they do not meet the required criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for her service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities was denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.,The Veteran’s physical impairments do not warrant a rating more than 20 percent for her chronic low back strain, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected low back, bilateral radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities are causing him to require regular aid and assistance. The case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on the claims.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating for limitation of motion. The right sciatic nerve impairment does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion to address both direct and secondary service connection for the Veteran's neck disorder.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran has also been awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.,No specific exposure basis was provided for any condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for left femoral and sciatic nerve disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.