Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical strain with radiculopathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as there are no findings of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent for the period from December 9, 2009 to November 22, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 5, 2009. The Board denied an effective date prior to that date for the grant of a TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and nature of his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to October 10, 2007. The combined evaluation of his disabilities was 50 percent from September 20, 2001 to October 10, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral leg disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar disc disease with left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disorders. The Board found that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IADT), obtaining updated VA treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical conditions, skin rash, and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss. The reduction of the rating for back disability from 40% to 20% is granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for treatment at Yuma Regional Medical Center on October 6, 2011 are approved as the treatment was necessary due to his service-connected PTSD and the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left leg neurological disability, including sciatica, is associated with his service-connected spinal stenosis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated lumbar disk and radiculopathy, as well as a claim for TDIU. The case is REMANDED to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disease with left upper extremity radiculopathy is found to have originated during his active service and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2012. Additionally, her moderately severe incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve is also rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and propriety of assigned ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity disabilities. Therefore, service connection cannot be granted.,The Veteran's hypertension was not evaluated in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of bilateral inguinal hernia repair is granted.,The claim for service connection for depression, to include as due to in-service exposure to mustard gas and as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted, with a combined disability rating of 50 percent. The Board also found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back degenerative disc disease with left lumbar radiculopathy is more likely than not related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical upper extremities disabilities. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations and asked to complete a VA Form 21-8940.