Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of decisions. The Board found that uniform evaluations are warranted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with both the sciatic and femoral nerves.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's residuals of a low back injury, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a link between his current diagnoses and his military service.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative joint disease and sciatica of the right leg, is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated based on their current severity, with a 40% rating for his low back disability from January 1, 2007 to January 1, 2009. He is also entitled to TDIU prior to May 1, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected right sciatica with hamstring spasms is now rated at the highest available rating of 80 percent effective May 19, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted, as it was incurred in active service.,Service connection is also granted for right C-7 radiculopathy, which is secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's shoulder disability. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis, right shoulder, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for carpal tunnel syndrome in the right hand are pending.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability was rated at 20 percent prior to February 25, 2015 and increased to 40 percent from that date. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation, and he meets the criteria for TDIU as of June 12, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, finding that they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have radiculopathy of either upper extremity and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background from December 17, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for service-connected fractured 8th thoracic vertebrae and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity due to additional evidence added by VA. The Veteran's treatment records from May 2017 to present need to be obtained, and an SSOC must be issued considering all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with left sciatica was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and a higher initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, thus the issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left sciatic neuropathy and a need for a new VA examination.