Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence does not show that his current condition is related to military service or a service-connected disability.,Claims for increased ratings and effective dates were also denied due to lack of factual ascertainability within one year of the September 29, 2004 claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for lumbosacral spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

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

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for fatigue and granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities preclude obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with radiculopathy and left arm numbness, and left shoulder disability are not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee and low back disabilities are not related to his active service, with no aggravation of a pre-existing condition during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Meniere's disease, coronary artery disease, lumbar strain, duodenal ulcer, chronic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, radiculopathy of the right leg, and residual scarring, render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran was granted a separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent for left lower extremity sciatica, which manifested as mild incomplete partial paralysis. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disorder is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and therefore denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back disability and associated bladder disorder, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, sinusitis, asthma, scar of the lumbar spine, and residuals of a breast lumpectomy, have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance. She also has been granted special monthly compensation based on this need. Additionally, she is eligible for specially adapted housing due to her permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2008. An effective date of May 1, 2008 for the award of a TDIU is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip radiculopathy and low back degenerative disc disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial evaluation and earlier effective date for a service-connected low back disability was denied. The Veteran is currently in receipt of a 60 percent disability rating for the condition, effective October 17, 2007.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, prevented him from engaging in heavy physical or strenuous manual labor but did not prevent him from performing sedentary work.

The Board found that the Veteran is not precluded from securing or following substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities alone, and therefore, an extraschedular TDIU is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted. He was awarded a 20% rating for his chronic lumbosacral strain since April 19, 2013, but the issues of service connection for bilateral foot pain are still pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability was not incurred in service and is not related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection for a back disability is denied.