Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain are currently rated at 10 percent, with no separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that the current rating adequately describes his symptomatology and thus denies an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his low back disability, left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes in the case of the low back disability. For the other two issues, the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain updated treatment records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities, specifically her lumbar spine and knee conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 60 percent, effective January 28, 1993. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown as likely as not to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and education background, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for these benefits had not been met throughout the appeal period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and residuals of a back injury, to include left leg radiculopathy, did not have their onset during active service or within one year following separation from active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected C7 radiculopathy involving the upper radicular group of the left arm is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher initial rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the current low back disability with sciatic pain was not incurred or aggravated as a result of service, and therefore denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back condition and right leg condition are found to be related to a service-connected left knee condition, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his spine disabilities, as well as the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy with piriformis syndrome is currently evaluated at a 20 percent rating, which corresponds to moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The appeal for an increased evaluation has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the appropriate disability ratings of his service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected paravertebral myositis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records from the Raiter Clinic and other relevant VA treatment records.

The Board found that the reduction in ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities from 20 percent to 0 percent effective June 12, 2011 was proper as there was no reduction or discontinuance of compensation payments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral sciatica, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.