Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and she is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective March 15, 2010. The initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both granted at 10 percent.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent since December 4, 2014. His patellofemoral syndrome of the left and right knees are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for an adjustment disorder with anxiety is granted, and a TDIU is also granted. The appeal is granted to these extents.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was dismissed without prejudice as he did not provide evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the February 2011 rating decision.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy, tinea cruris (jock itch), fungus of both feet, and headaches. The preponderance of the evidence does not show these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, L5 spondylosis with associated Grade 2 spondylolisthesis L5-S1 with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy with bilateral sciatic nerve involvement, and scoliosis convexed to the left, are considered service-connected.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an updated VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities have been confirmed, along with associated radiculopathy. The appeal for increased ratings is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar DDD and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (lumbar degenerative disc disease and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) have rendered him unemployable for work consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities have been denied by the RO. The Board has remanded these matters to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and associated radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, including as due to service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis since May 13, 2014. The effective date of this increase in rating is set as May 13, 2014. However, the claim for TDIU remains denied.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 10, 2014 and at 40 percent from February 10, 2014. The Veteran's sciatica was rated at 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, bilateral shoulder, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities did not manifest during active service or are otherwise related to such service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, a right foot condition (sciatica), and erectile dysfunction. The conditions are all considered to be related to the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's right foot condition as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine sprain. Service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted based on its onset during service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his claims for higher ratings are not supported by the evidence of record. The VA examinations and treatment records do not provide sufficient information to support a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings.