Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, but they do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and right side lumbar radiculopathy were rated at 20 percent for the initial rating period from October 29, 2009 to June 19, 2014.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathies and cervical spine condition are also granted.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy should be November 30, 2011, based on evidence showing the Veteran's symptoms first manifested more than one year prior to his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the fingers and toes should be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his claimed in-service frostbite.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and analysis to determine the appropriate disability rating for his cervical spine disability, including consideration of radiculopathy and other related conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies combined to at least a 60% evaluation prior to October 23, 2013. The Board granted restoration of the 50% evaluation for the low back disability effective from November 25, 2013, and denied all other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip replacements and irritable colon, have significantly impacted his ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether he can perform sedentary or office work due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 were not met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability with left leg radiculopathy and bilateral pes planus. The case will be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depression have been granted. The claim for service connection on the merits has also been reopened.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for urinary incontinence has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right leg/knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his period of honorable service or within a presumptive period. The current conditions are also not shown to be related to his period of honorable service.

The Veteran's lumbar strain and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been rated appropriately based on their current severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the higher initial rating and subsequent staged ratings for left leg radiculopathy at L4-5 before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as a review of all evidence received since the November 2013 statement of the case.