Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a special home adaptation grant or specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain, urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, radiculopathy, sciatic and femoral nerves of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy, sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's osteonecrosis, right femoral head, with acetabular fracture and hip osteoarthritis, status post surgical repair is currently rated at 50 percent effective May 11, 2011. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with bilateral L4 sciatic nerve involvement is currently rated at 20 percent effective May 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examinations and missing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and potentially seeking an additional medical opinion. The Veteran's claims will be re-adjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and migraine headaches, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating her claims. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his morphine addiction and pain management, caused or contributed to his death by overdose. Therefore, the cause of death is deemed service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease with left C7 radiculopathy is related to his in-service neck injury, and therefore grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right upper extremity disorder to include arthritis, and left upper extremity disorder to include arthritis as the Veteran's hypertension was not shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the Hughston Clinic and Tuskegee VAMC records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as hearing loss and tinnitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, he is entitled to a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, including Gulf War Syndrome, depression, neuropathy, radiculopathy, and various other symptoms. The issues are related to service connection for these conditions, with some seeking reopening of a previously denied claim for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve in his right lower extremity was granted effective from August 25, 2005.

The Veteran's service connection claims for herniated spinal discs, left foot neuropathy, and right foot neuropathy have been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and the most probative evidence fails to link these conditions to service.,The Board also determined that there was no causal connection between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his right ankle arthritis and sprain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 23, 2010. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating prior to that date.,The Veteran's service-connected L4-5 radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent. The rating is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for colon cancer, neck disability, and cervical radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service or any associated herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities were not related to service and the Board denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder and associated radiculopathy do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, albeit in a sedentary capacity.