Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

Service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is denied.,Initial increased ratings for a left ankle disability and spine disability are dismissed.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 16, 2015, for the grant of entitlement to a TDIU is denied.,Entitlement to an effective date earlier than July 16, 2015, for the grant of DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is denied.

The Veteran's current left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral foot disabilities were denied service connection as they did not manifest to a compensable degree by the end of the applicable presumptive period or are not related to an in-service injury, disease, or event.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied in December 1999 and again on September 5, 2001. The effective date of the grant of service connection is set at September 5, 2001.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied as the condition has not been diagnosed and is not considered to be related to his service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was denied due to the severity of symptoms being moderate.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism has been remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of her digestive symptoms. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating for hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for low back disability, and claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for painful residual scars and nonpainful residual scars are denied. The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for psychiatric disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The initial rating for thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease remains denied, as does the compensable rating for right shin splints. Service connection for left shin splints is also remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity sciatica are linked to his active service, with the private medical opinion suggesting that his service-connected knee disabilities caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected low back disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's low back disability. The TDIU issue is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is granted a rating of 60 percent. Service connection for right arm radiculopathy and left lower extremity neurological disorder are granted on a secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of communication from the Veteran prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has been rated as degenerative arthritis, with associated radiculopathy and erectile dysfunction. The appeal is granted for increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination reports and consideration of the newly added medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy have been denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, headaches, and TDIU. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated VA treatment records and employment information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower leg radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU. The remand includes obtaining updated VA or private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination by a neurologist or physiatrist to assess the severity of the service-connected conditions, and asking the Veteran to complete a TDIU application.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to a lack of recent VA examinations assessing the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and their impact on employment.