Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the issue of tinnitus. Service connection is denied for left arm disability, cervical radiculopathy, lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica, bilateral hip disability, right ear hearing loss, skin disability, and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including multiple upper and lower extremity problems, have caused him to be in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person from March 1, 2013 until his death. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with traumatic arthritis, thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent, effective December 8, 2011.,The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective December 8, 2011.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation before and after November 20, 2015. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was evaluated as 20 percent disabling from April 26, 2005 to July 23, 2012; moderate incomplete paralysis since July 24, 2012 to November 19, 2015; and severe incomplete paralysis since November 20, 2015.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending as there was no evidence of a separate compensable evaluation for radiculopathy prior to July 12, 2012.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2017. A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability is granted effective from January 26, 2018. The Board finds no evidence of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, particularly regarding range of motion testing.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent disability rating for residuals of prostate cancer from September 1, 2011. The appeal for higher ratings and TDIU are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy was incurred during service and is granted as service connection. However, further examination is needed to determine if any other right shoulder disability is related to service or any other service-connected condition.

The Veteran's back disorder and bilateral lower extremity nerve disorders have been evaluated based on their current severity. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's acne, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disability are all rated appropriately. The left foot disorder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy claims, and that there was no evidence of a nexus between the disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome (claimed as a bilateral knee disorder) due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim of hepatitis C is denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with traumatic arthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right hip, have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since December 19, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of recent VA examination. The service connection claim for a suprapubic disorder is also being remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent disabling, effective January 8, 2016. The rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is also granted at a 10 percent level, effective January 8, 2016.

The Veteran's left leg sciatic nerve impingement has been granted a rating of 20 percent, but no more. The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome is still rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, hearing loss, back condition, bilateral radiculopathy, and bladder dysfunction, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS of the lumbar spine, sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity, and sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity have been granted increased ratings to 60 percent each.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his chronic muscular back strain, and the Board found no evidence of direct or secondary service connection for his right knee disorder or right lower extremity radiculopathy.