Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability, but denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted with an effective date prior to March 16, 2014.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's spine and nerve conditions due to new evidence being added to the record, as well as the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, depression, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are being remanded due to insufficient evidence from recent examinations, which do not meet current VA examination requirements.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic nerve involvement of the left and right legs was denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 40 percent for orthopedic manifestations of thoracolumbar spine IVDS, as there are no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate VCAA notice and examination report, as well as incomplete records of VA treatment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are both currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on their symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 20 percent disability rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied as there is no factual evidence to support a finding that his condition worsened prior to June 19, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, including numbness of the right ear, right upper extremity to include shoulder and arm, and left arm. The Veteran's condition is linked to his in-service injury playing football.

The appeals regarding increased ratings for spinal stenosis and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as TDIU, were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20% prior to December 13, 2017 and at 40% thereafter. A separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from December 13, 2017 and a 20% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from October 10, 2012 are granted. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as potential need for new examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of records, including VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence that needs to be reviewed and considered by the RO.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of left hallux valgus, right foot scar, and left foot scar were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disorder was denied because there is no evidence of an additional chronic disability to the right leg other than those already attributed to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound status, thus his claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound status is denied.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death, and no service connection decisions are made as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher evaluation for his service-connected low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, back condition, sciatica/radiculopathy of right lower extremity, and sciatica/radiculopathy of left lower extremity due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further development in regards to service connection.