Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

Prior to July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent for arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with bilateral radiculopathy.,From July 8, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis of L5 and S1.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective July 18, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including hypertension, psychiatric disorders, lung issues, head trauma, sleep apnea, headaches, and several other conditions. The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities is found to be secondary to his service-connected back disability. However, the claims for increased ratings for the back disability, low back scar, pelvic scar, and left clavicle disability are all denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from August 9, 2012.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine disabilities was denied. The Board affirmed the denial, finding that pyramiding precluded separate ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show a current disability related to her inservice complaints of pelvic pain, which is necessary to establish service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with scheduling a VA examination and verifying the Veteran's address. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's low back disability with sciatica is found to be related to his in-service combat injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine IVDS, lumbar spine IVDS, upper extremity radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis, and headaches. The VA determined that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve right (external cutaneous nerve, L1-L4 sensory deficit, right lower extremity) was rated at 20 percent prior to July 18, 2012 and increased to 40 percent effective July 18, 2012. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to service. The issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the left arm are inextricably intertwined and must be deferred pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a back disability and hypertension was granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of a current left shoulder disability, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted. The right shoulder and left hip claims are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.