Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service connected and his right leg radiculopathy claim is denied. The case is remanded for additional development regarding an increased rating for right hip osteoarthritis, a TDIU claim, and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder; a heart disorder; and a right lower extremity disorder. The low back disorder was granted as service connected on a direct basis.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise and therefore gives the benefit of the doubt to the Veteran, finding that his low back disorder as likely as not had its onset during, or is related to, his active military service. Service connection for a low back disability with radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy, finding that it is at least as likely as not due to an injury sustained during his period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for consideration of an extraschedular rating for left sided sciatic nerve paralysis. The Veteran's claim will be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has granted service connection for right lumbosacral polyradiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, effective November 24, 2008. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating of 40% and TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disabilities, other than his service-connected lumbar strain, are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 10, 2003, for the grant of TDIU as his disability was rated at 40% since 1978 and he did not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) until June 10, 2003.

The Veteran's C5-C6 radiculopathy of the left arm associated with degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is rated at 30 percent effective June 2, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service for consideration due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date for his right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right and left knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on functional loss or impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical records and examinations, as well as to ensure that the examination reports comply with instructions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip and right knee disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and grants the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy have been rated at the highest available rating of 20 percent, reflecting their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and related conditions worsened, necessitating restoration of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance from April 1, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy of the right leg and right foot.