Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and right leg sciatica or numbness are related to his service-connected knee conditions, specifically his total right knee arthroplasty. As such, these claims have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) and consideration of all evidence received after the August 2011 SOC.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, including arthritis and associated radiculopathy, is as likely as not related to an injury during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and notifying the Veteran of his right to obtain new representation.

The Board has determined that the March 2008 rating decision denying service connection for low back pain and L5/S1 right radiculopathy (claimed as right leg numbness due to back), as secondary to low back pain, is final. New evidence submitted since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 31, 2004 is granted for the Veteran's eligibility to Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 of Title 38, United States Code.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 24, 2012. The Board denied the claims for higher ratings as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to that date and did not warrant a separate rating for radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy were evaluated, but the ratings for both conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all evidence of record.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for lumbar strain from May 1, 2009 to May 29, 2014. The Veteran's current range of motion is sufficient to meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements for TDIU, and the Board finds that he is unable to secure or maintain any substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for a back disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, or neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's claims were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% since November 15, 2012. The Board has jurisdiction to determine whether entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated as 10 percent prior to November 9, 2012 and increased to 20 percent beginning on that date.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated as 10 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for complications following a back surgery in April 2003 at the VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. The appeal includes issues related to L5-S1 disc herniation and sciatica of the left lower extremity. The case is being remanded due to potential lack of informed consent during the procedure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,No new evidence was provided for the increased rating of pseudofolliculitis, so the current rating remains in effect.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40%, effective January 3, 2012.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings to 20% each.,No new evidence was provided for the TDIU claim, so it remains pending.,The effective date for the 40 percent rating of lumbar spine disability is January 3, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and scheduling him for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including service connection for myositis of the right pectoralis major, shin splints, and gastroenteritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for updated treatment records.