Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be processed again after scheduling the Veteran for a videoconference hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spinal stenosis and left lumbar radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an inadequate examination and a need for further medical opinion regarding the etiology of radiculopathy in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as an orthopedic/neurologic examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 9, 2012 at St. Vincents Medical Center Southside were not reimbursable because the services were not authorized in advance by VA and there was no emergency requiring immediate attention.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for left lower extremity sciatic neuropathy since May 29, 2012 was denied as there is no evidence of severe incomplete paralysis with marked muscular atrophy or complete paralysis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were granted increased ratings of 40 percent each, effective from the date an increase in severity was warranted. The TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing his claims for higher ratings for low back disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings and a TDIU. The Board has determined that the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with his right knee disabilities, which require additional VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the increased rating claims for lumbar strain and left lower extremity radiculopathy before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of VA treatment records. The issue remains about entitlement to an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and L5-S1 herniated nucleus pulposus with left sciatica is being addressed. The effective date for the 20 percent rating for the right knee disability has been determined to be January 19, 2011.,The Veteran's claim for increased staged ratings for his service-connected right knee reconstruction was granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased rating for low back pain and strain, TDIU claim, and reopening of service connection claims. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with the exception of his request to reopen a claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran is currently receiving appropriate disability compensation for his PTSD, dysthymia, left shoulder disability, low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The VA denied payment for unauthorized medical treatment provided by the Leon County EMS on January 25, 2013 due to lack of an emergency situation and because no life or limb-threatening condition existed.

The Board denied all claims for service connection, finding that the Veteran's claimed conditions did not have their onset in or were not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his IVDS and radiculopathy, and conducting any other necessary development.