Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for chronic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis is denied. From September 1, 2013, but not before, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective May 23, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and he is granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the severity of the Veteran's back disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, and PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from August 31, 2010 to November 1, 2011. The Veteran also does not qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

An effective date of July 18, 2008, but no earlier, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted.,For the period prior to October 17, 2012, a rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied. For the period from October 17, 2012, onward, a rating in excess of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,For the period prior to October 17, 2012, a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied. For the period from October 17, 2012, onward, a rating in excess of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder disability is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent rating since April 29, 2015.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 40 percent rating since April 29, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent disabling from August 29, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent disabling beginning January 20, 2017.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability due to insufficient information in previous examinations.,Further examination and clarification are needed before a decision can be made on this matter.

Service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for cervical strain is denied and set at July 12, 2012.

The Veteran's low back strain with sciatic pain is rated at 20% effective January 29, 2015. A separate 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted since November 6, 2013.

The Veteran's DDD with radiculopathy was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board finds no causal relationship between his current condition and service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes within one year of separation from active duty.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a cervical spine disability is granted. The Board also remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU.

Service connection for MUCMI and an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder with stressor-related disorder are granted. The Veteran's symptoms include social isolation, anxious affect and mood, chronic sleep impairment, nightmares, hypervigilance, anxiety, suspiciousness, difficulty focusing, and suicidal ideation.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression) secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded. The Veteran currently meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran's right hip replacement disability is rated at 90 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's GERD and hypothyroidism have been rated based on the severity of their symptoms. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for these conditions.,For his hypothyroidism, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating from August 29, 2007, to October 12, 2009, and denied any increase in rating prior to this period and since October 13, 2009.

The Veteran's bilateral eye glaucoma is granted as service connected. The extension of a temporary total rating for back disability is granted until June 30, 2016. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claim for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome is remanded due to lack of service treatment records.