Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for his back condition and acquired psychiatric condition, including PTSD. The preponderance of the evidence did not establish a link between current symptoms and an in-service stressor or chronic disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted service connection and increased to 20 percent effective May 17, 2010. Right leg radiculopathy was also granted service connection effective the same date.

The Veteran's skin condition, low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were all found to not warrant higher initial ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left upper extremity neurologic disorder and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's increased ratings for chronic lumbar strain with DJD and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were granted, with a rating of 40 percent for each condition effective from May 9, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted since May 5, 2009. The VA examiner found that the service-connected cervical spine disability alone severely impacted his daily life and limited his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective June 1, 2006.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy has not been productive of more than mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerves, and therefore does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, lower extremity radiculopathy, and erectile dysfunction are not related to service or any service-connected disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current upper back and shoulders disorder is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and an inadequate opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, and lower spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development of the issue of service connection for a back disability with right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and sciatic nerve peripheral numbness in the lower extremities are service-connected. The disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is increased to 50% effective March 13, 2013.

The Board granted an increased rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity to 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as a herniated lumbar disc with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, warrants a 40 percent rating. He also has separate 20 percent ratings for right and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain was granted a rating of 40 percent effective January 14, 2011. The separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to January 14, 2011, was denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the effective date being November 22, 2010. The conditions are rated based on their current manifestations.