Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, including whether they are related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a supplemental opinion from an examiner.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected foot and low back disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and service connection, among other issues. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and medical opinions to assess the severity of his service-connected thoracic spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, a new examination of his lumbar spine disability, and an opinion on whether he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with myofascial pain and radiculopathy is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including hip sprains and radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities and for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding higher initial ratings for scars and an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and depressive disorder, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, intervertebral disc syndrome (claimed as low back condition), scars, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, hypertension, tinnitus, bilateral nasal pinquecula with dry eyes, hernia, ear pain, and erectile dysfunction, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities alone are at least in equipoise as to whether he is unable to obtain or maintain such employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural issues and insufficient development. The claims will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right foot drop, sciatica, and sciatic sensory radiculopathy are currently rated at 10 percent prior to January 23, 2015, and 20 percent since that date. The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any current cervical spine disorder or bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is related to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left sciatic neuritis more nearly approximates severe incomplete paralysis of the left lower extremity, warranting a 60 percent disability rating for the entire increased rating period from September 24, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including her January 1989 complaint of lower back pain after lifting torpedo afterbodies, is related to her military service. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's neuropathy did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter, and is not related to any incident of active service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claim was denied as there was no evidence linking the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in service or within one year after discharge, residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture are not manifested by reduction in range of motion, displacement of the mandible, and loss of masticatory function, chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. The chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of private medical expenses on December 20, 2010 is denied as the treatment was not for an emergency and there were no service-connected conditions at that time.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 60 percent for left and right total knee replacements, and a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issue regarding radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right hand, right knee, left lower extremity and right lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.