Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as for new records from VA facilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and radiculopathy, as new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claim. The Board also found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left arm radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, right thigh, and right hip disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, claimed as bilateral leg pain, is caused or aggravated by radiation treatment for his service-connected prostate cancer. As a result, the claim for accrued benefits is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is only manifested by mild pain, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any neurological condition of the bilateral lower extremities, including peripheral neuropathy and sciatica. The appeal is now REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar stenosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome. The current ratings are found to be appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy (right L5 radiculopathy) and erectile dysfunction have been granted effective from January 18, 2011. The initial evaluations for IVDS prior to November 1, 2011 are also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for low back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal for an increased rating for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded this matter to afford the Veteran a VA examination in order to assess the current level of functional impairment of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy. The Veteran failed to report for the scheduled examinations, so he is being rescheduled for another one.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis effective December 9, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis and intervertebral disc disease involving the right sciatic nerve is related to his in-service low back symptomatology, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) due to the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if his service-connected conditions alone result in the need for such benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for the right lower extremity and a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity neurological symptoms. The service connection is determined to be direct.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to an effective date earlier than September 28, 1998 for service connection for low back strain with sciatica and PTSD. The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing that the Veteran filed a formal or informal claim prior to September 1998.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 30, 2015 for all four service connection claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 22, 2012. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the highest rating of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the left hand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA spine examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed neurological disabilities related to his cervical spine disorder.