Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, pes planus, and a pelvic tilt with an apparent leg length discrepancy are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with foraminal and mild canal stenosis at L5-S1 and right S1 radiculopathy, is proximately related to or the result of his service-connected residuals of a right ankle sprain. As such, service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain employment. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the June 2009 rating decision. He also received separate ratings for right and left sciatic nerve impairment.

The Board found that there is no medical diagnosis of complete or incomplete paralysis, neuritis, or neuralgia associated with the Veteran's complaints of left lower extremity radiculopathy. Therefore, a separate compensable rating for this condition was denied.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy, affecting the ulnar nerve, was found to be moderate in severity prior to November 7, 2012. After that date, his disability remained at a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted to support the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar strain and disc disease, as well as right L3/L4 radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development as the prior examination report was inadequate and did not address the impact of his service-connected disabilities in combination on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as his combined rating is at least 60 percent and he has multiple service-connected conditions that limit his ability to work. The Board finds the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there are no separate compensable ratings for neurological manifestations of his low back disability other than left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left leg radiculopathy is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, afford VA examinations, and issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) and Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on convalescence due to surgery was dismissed as the Veteran did not have cervical spine surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the origins of his left leg disorder and to schedule a VA examination for his low back disability. The claims are also being remanded due to allegations that his service-connected low back disability has worsened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected lumbosacral strain and sciatica.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and associated left leg radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating effective September 25, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing due to his inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's current low back disorder and lumbar radiculopathy with right foot drop are related to service.