Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease, L5-S1, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of representation.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for various disabilities and service connection was denied because the VA Form 9 was not filed within the required time frame.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left carpal tunnel syndrome. The cervical spondylosis claim is remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether it is related to service or aggravated by his service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether it also caused or aggravated any other conditions listed in the issues section.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings in several areas, including lumbar strain, left knee strain with shin splints, right knee strain with limitation of motion and shin splints, radiculopathy, left sciatic nerve, and radiculopathy, right sciatic nerve.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating determinations for further development. The Veteran is required to provide information about his treatment providers, obtain relevant VA and private records, and undergo examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective October 29, 2008. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective April 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, a lumbar spine disability with lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) have been granted. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability or a left ear hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted effective May 26, 2010. The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain, is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all three issues before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted the appellant's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, upper extremity neuropathy, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spondylosis is denied, but he receives a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the Veteran's failure to appear at a scheduled DRO hearing.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, sciatica (secondary to low back condition), and sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for keloids of the left shoulder is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative spondylosis and discogenic disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's lumbosacral dual level discogenic disease and right lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis of the lumbar spine and right lumbosacral radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are etiologically related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injury, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis and GERD), bronchitis, essential benign tremor, and bladder dysfunction. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to June 22, 2015 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches effective July 9, 2015. His radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains at 10 percent. A 20 percent rating is granted for his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been granted. The decision also includes a finding of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his request for an effective date prior to December 23, 2009, for service-connected left hallux rigidus. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.