Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease L5-S1 and associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are rated at 20 percent prior to April 22, 2016, and 40 percent beginning April 22, 2016. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's kidney disability, including renal insufficiency, was incurred during active duty service and continues to persist. The Veteran also has a service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with accompanying radiculopathy of the right lower extremity that is rated appropriately.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder with upper extremity radiculopathy and hypertension have been granted, effective from June 11, 2009, for hypertension, and May 16, 2016, for the cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities aggravated his claimed hypertension, back disorder, and bilateral hip disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal are the rating for chronic lumbar strain and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, which included degenerative arthritis and bilateral L4 sciatic nerve involvement, was rated at 20 percent prior to May 11, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back pain with sciatica and granted service connection for post-operative lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a rating higher than 50 percent, and she was also granted an increased rating for her low back condition. The cervical spine condition and right median nerve neuropathy were not service-connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and neurological disability of the upper extremities are service-connected, with a rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the low back effective from August 13, 2008.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to September 15, 2015 and increased to 40 percent since then.

The Veteran's left lower extremity nerve impairment affecting the sciatic and posterior tibial nerves is currently rated at 20 percent, effective February 27, 2007. Separate noncompensable ratings are assigned for the internal saphenous and external cutaneous nerves of the thigh.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn. The Veteran is now granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 29, 2010 to February 26, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke is at least as likely as not caused by her service-connected hypertension, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a stroke.

The Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities involving the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent for the period since January 30, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and his Vocational Rehabilitation folder. The claims for increased rating and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been consistently at 80 percent since March 9, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent prior to January 15, 2015. The appeal was granted as the Veteran's condition meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating since April 16, 2009.