Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating prior to September 28, 2016. The issue of entitlement to service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy is not currently developed or certified.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions related to presumed herbicide exposure during service is remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as of December 26, 2007. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a new VA examination with a neurosurgeon or neurologist. The issues of service connection for cervical disorder, bilateral upper extremity disorder (neuropathy), and fecal and urinary incontinence secondary to back disability are referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability, neurological disability of the left arm, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new examination of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are each rated at 10 percent. The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's sciatic nerve disabilities prior to July 25, 2016. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of his right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disabilities.

The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise, granting service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death due to his motor vehicle accident caused by medications taken for his service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has found that a remand is necessary to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy, as the current medical opinions are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability and migraines due to her service-connected disabilities. The cases are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is granted TDIU, but the effective date for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy remains April 20, 2009.,The Board has found that a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for chronic low back pain with degenerative changes and service connection for bilateral upper extremity disability secondary to service-connected low back pain are both remanded.

The Board has found that further development is necessary prior to appellate review of the claims on appeal, including for new VA examinations to properly assess the severity of each of the Veteran’s spine disabilities and related radiculopathy.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and radiculopathy, and has remanded the case to consider entitlement to TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected back disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show that his service-connected conditions caused him to become obese.

The Board dismissed the appeal for Gulf War Syndrome. The effective date of service connection for LUE radiculopathy was granted as September 1, 2011. The Veteran's claims for CFS, sleep apnea and fatigue/sleep disturbance are remanded.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from August 17, 2010 forward due to her service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered her unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for her left heel spur, keloid scar from cesarean section, and sciatic nerve of the left leg have been granted. The application to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for heart disability and hypertension has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.