Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board is remanding the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings due to new evidence indicating potential secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to December 27, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sciatica and piriformis syndrome are related to her service, as symptoms recurred shortly after discharge.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the claims file and must be considered by the AOJ. The Veteran's VA treatment records for the period from October 2018 to present are requested, and a Supplemental Statement of the Case is needed on the five issues of earlier effective dates and increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for PTSD, but no rating assigned as it is a direct service connection case.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are granted with specific ratings, while the right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. Appeals for higher ratings have been withdrawn.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremities as secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Board also remanded the issue of an effective date earlier than June 5, 2009 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of bilateral pes planus and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as the grant of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy, were denied due to lack of factual evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to January 13, 2016. The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to these decisions are also being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right and left knee conditions was granted with separate evaluations of 10 percent effective January 15, 2016. His intent to file a claim for these conditions on January 15, 2016 is considered the date entitlement arose.

The Veteran's back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for the back disability is denied.,An initial rating of 40 percent, but no higher, for right leg sciatica secondary to service-connected back disability prior to January 25, 2012, is granted. A rating of 20 percent, but no higher, from January 25, 2012, to May 22, 2016, is also granted.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected back disability is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been granted service connection and a rating of 30 percent.,Prior to December 29, 2006, the Veteran's left shoulder arthritis was rated at 30 percent. After that date, his left shoulder replacement surgery is rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right lower radiculopathy, finding that it is related to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sacroiliac joint pain syndrome, right leg radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Folliculitis remains rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating for lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent for the period prior to April 20, 2017. For the period since April 20, 2017, a rating in excess of 40 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left lower extremity symptoms, including sciatica, radiculopathy, and foot numbness. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service or to his service-connected low back pain and/or left leg shin splints.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection claims.