Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate VA examination.,The Veteran's sinusitis is remanded as there are no records of treatment during service, but the Board finds a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not compensable.,Service connection for a right leg disability, left leg disability, lower back disability, and right ankle disability are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder bursitis disability has been granted a rating of at least 20 percent since February 11, 2013. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, including cervical spinal stenosis with degenerative disc disease (DDD), intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and left cervical radiculopathy, is related to his active duty service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been added to the record and must be considered. The issues are being remanded for further action.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine injury with strain. A separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, was granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from January 12, 2017. Service connection for anxiety disorder with amnesic disorder was properly terminated and denied. Severance of special monthly compensation housebound benefits, non-service connected pension, and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood, compression fracture of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been rated based on their current manifestations. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a request to reopen a claim regarding left hip and thigh pain. The Board found that new evidence supports reopening these claims.

The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied, and two issues have been remanded: entitlement to service connection for a right lower extremity neurologic disorder and entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and adjustment disorder, have rendered him unemployable due to physical limitations. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and acute right lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disabilities were not caused or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, L5-S1 (lumbar spine disability), is currently rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities have been denied. He is currently rated at 20 percent for each affected lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, right leg radiculopathy, and right eye blindness due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses include degenerative arthritis and osteoporosis of his spine with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy and neurogenic claudication, and blindness in his right eye. He contends that these conditions are related to an injury he sustained during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if the current disabilities had their clinical onset during service or are otherwise related to any incident in service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and degenerative joint disease are the primary conditions, but his radiculopathy is secondary to his degenerative joint disease. The Board finds that additional evidence from SSA is needed before a decision can be made on these issues.

The Veteran's radiculopathy and degenerative joint disease are the primary conditions, with his radiculopathy being secondary to his degenerative joint disease. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed from SSA.

The Board has remanded two issues: the initial rating for degenerative lumbar disc disease and the TDIU claim. The Veteran's treatment records, Social Security Administration (SSA) records, and vocational rehabilitation records are needed to support these claims.

The Veteran's GERD is not service-connected.,Prior to October 25, 2016, the Veteran's lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent and denied an increased rating.,Effective from August 26, 2009, for right lower extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims and an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's appeal includes multiple service connection claims and one related to the effective date of additional compensation based on having a dependent spouse.