Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of his appeals by June 2011. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied in a final rating decision issued in May 1991.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for low back disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have an upper extremity neurological disorder, to include peripheral neuropathy, left cervical radiculopathy, and left ulnar neuropathy, that is attributable to active duty service or was caused or made worse by a service-connected disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his in-service injury, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder, including lumbar degenerative disc disease with bilateral lower extremity polyradiculopathy (L5,S1), and lumbar spinal stenosis with radiculopathy, was not incurred in or aggravated by service or any period of ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA. The Board concludes that the Veteran's current low back condition is more likely related to his post-service work-related injuries.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (dominant) has been rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 7, 2007. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on range of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sensory neuropathy of the sciatic nerve of the right foot is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal includes a claim for an increased rating for her lumbar sprain and strain, currently rated at 20 percent. She also has a claim for TDIU based on all of her service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain updated examinations and ensure compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional medical records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including right and left shoulder injuries, low back strain with degenerative joint disease, left ankle injury, left elbow injury, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's chronic low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral disc disease with left-sided sciatica, had its onset during his active military service. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right lower extremity radiculopathy disability and his left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The initial ratings for depression prior to July 6, 2011 and since that date are also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral sciatica (claimed as pain, tingling, and numbness in the legs and feet) is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, entitlement to TDIU, and Dependents' Educational Assistance under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was not proper due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and kidney stones, both incurred in active service.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for her service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for DJD of the lumbar spine has been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective August 5, 2011. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for left leg radiculopathy associated with the service-connected DJD of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been evaluated at their current levels, with no higher ratings granted.

The Board found no current diagnosis of right or left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's low back disorder with degenerative changes was previously rated at 20% prior to May 8, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lumbar radiculopathy of the toes and feet as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain. The claim for meralgia paresthetica is remanded for further clarification.