Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability and established service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The rating assigned is 30%.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and right leg radiculopathy are related to service, while his left hip and knee disabilities may be related to service or a separate incident. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any back or right sciatic nerve disorder related to service and thus denied these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's case requires further development due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with spondylosis and degenerative joint and disc disease, including associated radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, is rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, status post fusion L4-S1, is currently rated at 20 percent and her radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities are also rated at 20 percent each. The appeal for higher evaluations has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience from September 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radicular pain of the right leg secondary to his service-connected muscular thoracic spine pain was reopened. The increased rating for muscular thoracic spine pain is granted.,Service connection for radicular pain of the right leg remains denied as it is not established that this condition is related to the Veteran's service-connected muscular thoracic spine pain.

The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine with lumbar strain. The vitamin D deficiency and lumbar spine disorder appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's July 2011 surgery for a herniated disk was not considered treatment of his service-connected low back condition. The claim for an increased rating for the low back disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a reduction in ratings for cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and left leg sciatic nerve condition, finding that there is no evidence of a preexisting condition aggravated by active duty or otherwise related to his period of service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, osteomyelitis, and associated radiculopathy have been rated at the highest possible level throughout the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of left and right hands is secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected Type II diabetes mellitus is found to be the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea, and therefore he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, including lumbar radiculopathy, finding that it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a cervical spine injury.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination of the Veteran's current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise on some issues, but ultimately denied all claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability.