Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right leg sciatica, finding that the Veteran's condition is related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis and depression. The denial of sinusitis is based on a lack of evidence showing chronicity after service, while the denial of depression is due to insufficient evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of her service-connected lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings related to various disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial ratings for left leg sciatica and lumbar spondylosis were restored, while other conditions remained unchanged or denied.

The reductions in ratings for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral wrists and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were improper due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's conditions have not improved, warranting restoration of previous ratings.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disc desiccation with posterior annular tears L4-5 and L5-S1 with intervertebral disc syndrome, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and right hip disability are all remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's service-connected scars, right foot due to sesamoid fracture, need further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back pain, radiculopathy (neuropathy) of the bilateral lower extremities, and secondary service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a possible in-service injury during parachuting.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for such assistance.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination report and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbar spine muscle strain disability needs to be reassessed with an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine disability, left lower radiculopathy, tinnitus, right lower radiculopathy, and bilateral hearing loss, precluded him from obtaining or maintaining any substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, background, and work history prior to May 15, 2015.

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was improper. The appeal is granted in part as the original disability ratings are restored. Additionally, the claim for service connection for OSA has been denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as they are inextricably intertwined with his claim for a bilateral foot disability. The underlying issue of service connection for the bilateral foot disability is pending.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is only 40 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a more thorough examination and consideration of separate ratings for all neurological impairment of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back disorders is reopened, but the appeal remains remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent from June 19, 2013 for post-concussive headaches associated with a TBI and for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Veteran is to undergo additional VA examinations to clarify his symptoms and their impact on work.

The Board has remanded the claims for effective dates prior to September 21, 2015 for service connection of radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, TDIU, and DEA. The issues are inextricably intertwined with those regarding increased evaluation of lower back strain.