Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy conditions have been granted increased ratings. Service connection for hypertension has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being considered. The rating decision on the right lower extremity radiculopathy claim is mixed, with some issues granted (20 percent from June 29, 2016) and others not (10 percent prior to that date). Service connection requests for epididymitis, sebaceous cyst on the back of the neck, and a sinus disorder are all pending as new evidence has been submitted. The Veteran's STRs show diagnoses of right ankle fracture, radiculopathy, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's service-connected moderate incomplete paralysis of the anterior crural nerve, moderate incomplete paralysis of the posterior tibial nerve, and mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve render him so helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy are not shown to meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's jaw disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, orthostatic hypotension (claimed as a seizure disorder), erectile dysfunction (claimed as impotency), and gastrointestinal disorder. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case for an additional VA examination to determine how the Veteran's service-connected disabilities affect her locomotion and whether they preclude regular use of a wheelchair, braces, crutches, or canes as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his lumbosacral strain with DDD and IVDS, as well as associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, was denied. The effective date of the increased rating for lumbosacral strain is November 3, 2016.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since November 24, 2009. The most recent VA examination found the Veteran's forward flexion to be limited to 55 degrees and extension to 15 degrees.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an extra-schedular rating for her cervical spine fusion and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy from December 1, 2014 to February 6, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The appeal is currently pending further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest within one year of service separation and is less likely related to his military service, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease is rated at 40 percent, and her radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent. The Board has granted a higher rating for the radiculopathy.

The Veteran's child, J.G.C., should have been added as a dependent earlier than June 18, 2010. The Board found that the place of birth information for J.G.C. was not provided within one year of notification of the May 2007 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as any diagnosed sensory neuropathy affecting the lower extremities. The case will be returned to the Board for further action.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the claims have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal.

The Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his radiculopathy of the left upper extremity or neck disability.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a disability rating of 30 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and her right and left foot disabilities are both rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including arthritis and radiculopathy, is related to his in-service injury and finds a continuity of symptoms since service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.