Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for status-post fusion of C5-C6 and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy on a schedular basis, but granted extra-schedular evaluations for these conditions upon termination of the total convalescent rating effective from February 7, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back conditions are not related to his service and denies his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, a new VA examination, and proper notice.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities on a secondary basis to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examiners found no nexus between these conditions and the right shoulder.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral radiculopathy and neuropathy of the upper extremities on a secondary basis to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a low back disability, sciatica, or peripheral neuropathy in either lower extremity attributable to his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current cervical radiculopathy and the Veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on his range of motion and symptoms. He is also separately rated for radiculopathy of the right sciatic nerve.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck, low back, and knee conditions are related to an in-service incident where he was thrown from a truck. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, hearing disability, and other conditions. The evidence does not support a finding of nexus between these disabilities and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including verification of stressors and examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his back disability and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease and Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbar spine disability was denied, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The cervical spine disability claim was also denied as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Board has granted separate 10% ratings for right-sided and left-sided sciatica, both evaluated as neurological manifestations of the same underlying condition.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted, but he is not entitled to higher ratings as forward flexion remains limited to 80 degrees with pain at 55 degrees.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left hip has been found to have aggravated his chronic muscular strain of the lumbar spine and chronic sciatic neuropathy. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for arthritis of the left hip with total hip replacement since March 15, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, and the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation by reason of his service-connected disabilities.