Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board found no evidence of current sciatica, PTSD, or hearing loss for VA purposes and denied the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and associated neurological, urinary, and bowel impairments has been granted. He is now rated at 80 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, 80 percent for right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, 60 percent for urinary dysfunction, and 100 percent for bowel dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU since November 17, 2011 and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher rating, as the evidence does not show recurrent symptomatic infection or frequent hospitalizations for his left scrotal condition. His lumbar spine disability is rated based on moderate limitation of motion and mild radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 4, 2015 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent, effective October 1, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,Prior to September 11, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent, effective March 10, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,Prior to September 11, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent, effective March 10, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.,From September 11, 2015, the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 11, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.,From September 11, 2015, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent, effective September 11, 2015. The claim for a higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating for his lumbosacral strain with minimal degenerative changes, L4-5, or for a higher than 10 percent rating for his chronic left L5-S1 radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, finding no evidence of a claim prior to March 20, 2013 for tinnitus service connection. The radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to service, as well as his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy which is secondary to his lumbar spine disability. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his right knee condition and service connection for sciatic nerve pain and a lumbar spine disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these issues in his March 2017 Board testimony. The claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence showing it is related to active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral leg disability, but denied the claim as there is no competent evidence relating her current condition to her in-service condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and separate disability ratings were dismissed as he withdrew them during his October 2016 Board hearing. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cardiovascular and cervical spine conditions, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of unemployability due to these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of fractures of the fourth and fifth toes of the left foot, bilateral leg disability (lumbar radiculopathy), neck disability, and left hand disability. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depressive disorder) is also granted.

The Veteran's left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The effective date for this service connection is set at February 5, 2010.,For the period prior to August 25, 2015, the Veteran's residuals of stab wound, left hand, loss of sensation radial and median nerves, are rated as 20 percent disabling. From August 25, 2015, they are rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and other relevant medical evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar disc herniation and cervical strain have been rated based on their underlying conditions, not separately for radiculopathy.,Radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities has resulted in separate ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke residuals are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and right leg radiculopathy conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The Veteran's other claims, including those for increased ratings, are remanded for further development.