Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right and left external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy are currently rated as noncompensable, with the most severe impairment being moderate.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connection, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service connected lumbar spine disability, but the records of potential VA treatment have not been obtained and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy as they are related to a right shoulder injury sustained during service. The Veteran's current disabilities may be considered secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical radiculopathy affecting the right upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy affecting the bilateral lower extremities.,Both conditions are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar sprain, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of lumbar disc disease, right ear hearing loss, left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and major depression are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right thumb disability, or for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD. The TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he could not secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 28, 2012. The Board found the VA examinations inadequate and ordered additional examination on his low back disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative arthritis with spondylosis, right hip strain as secondary to the low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability. Service connection was denied for left hip disorder and left leg disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The thoracolumbar spine disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity are each rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further evaluation to address the severity of these conditions, including any flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's radiculopathy is being examined further regarding its relation to his service-connected lumbar myositis and other back disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding the relationship between his left hip disability and lower extremity radiculopathy with his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for a neck disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy remains under review.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The appellant's left lower extremity radiculopathy is to be evaluated, and his low back disability on an extraschedular basis is also to be reviewed.

The Veteran's increased ratings for DDD at C4-5 and C6, as well as cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, were denied. The Board also found that remand was necessary to address service connection claims for back disability and right leg disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent from February 12, 2012 to July 2, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right arm numbness (right cervical radiculopathy) has been granted since July 2, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition with sciatica is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Veteran's back brace, used in conjunction with his service-connected lumbar spine disability, tends to cause wear and tear on his clothing. The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year.