Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected DJD of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a 20% evaluation prior to February 26, 2018. The issue of higher evaluations for radiculopathy of the LLE and RLE associated with DJD remains remanded.

The Board has remanded all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for additional development. The dismissal of the claim for service connection for unspecified depressive disorder (also claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder) is due to a full grant of benefits in March 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic low back pain, right foot bunions, left foot bunions, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypertension, prohibited her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since January 2009. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased ratings for his service-connected conditions has been dismissed. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for cervicalgia, tendonitis of the left shoulder, or radiculopathy of the LUE prior to specific dates.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disorder, right knee disorder, and secondary service connection for a right lower extremity disorder. The conditions are found to be related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent effective July 30, 2018. The left leg radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. The right leg radiculopathy remains at 20 percent. The TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current spine disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds it does not warrant a higher rating. The left hip tendonitis with calcinosis claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's spine disability, which includes degenerative disc disease and multiple surgical procedures, is rated at 40 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The combined rating for orthopedic and neurological manifestations does not exceed 60 percent.,A 20 percent rating has been granted for the Veteran's right ankle fracture.

Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted. The reduction of rating for left L4 5 microdiscectomy scar residuals from 10 percent to noncompensable, effective May 5, 2016, was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 9, 1978 for the grant of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's original claim was received in January 1979 within one year of his separation from active duty. For radiculopathy of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve and right lower extremity, the Board has denied an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 as there is no evidence of a service connection claim before that date.

The Veteran's lumbago, sciatic nerve pain, and chronic right ankle pain were not related to her service.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 2, 2005 for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 11, 2005 for the award of a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he meets the schedular rating requirements for assignment of a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back disability.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent, but the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating due to his lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted effective March 17, 2014. The Board found that there was no evidence of an increase in disability prior to the date of the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with right lower extremity radiculopathy. The other claims were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability with radiculopathy is related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.