Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran has neurological manifestations of service-connected low back strain, and if so, whether they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and back disabilities have rendered him unemployable, effective March 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine was denied. Initial compensable ratings were granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but the Board notes that these claims are still on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is productive of mild or moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting an initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's appeal of the lumbar spine disability rating is dismissed as he indicated satisfaction with the current evaluation and only wishes to pursue his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance and specially adapted equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to address the relationship between his service-connected right little finger crush injury with residual scar and his claimed carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for large vessel disease, claimed as coronary artery disease, has been reopened. The RO granted a 50 percent evaluation for PTSD from November 22, 2010 and denied all other claims.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, characterized by herniated discs and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities, has been rated at 60 percent since November 1995. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain disability was reduced from 40% to 20% effective September 1, 2011. A separate 10% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's current low back condition is related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding it at least as likely as not that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of entitlement to an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and initial compensable disability ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 30 percent, with a 10 percent deduction for aggravation from his service-connected right leg fracture. The RO has granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective December 1999.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8511 (left upper extremity) or Diagnostic Code 8620 (left lower extremity).,There was no objective evidence of sensory impairment in the left lower extremity, and the Veteran's complaints were characterized as 'constant pain' rather than more severe symptoms such as muscle atrophy or significant reflex loss.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date prior to November 1, 2010. Other claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50 percent, which does not meet the schedular percentage for a TDIU.