Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip disorder, arthritis of the left hip, and sciatica did not have its clinical onset in service or may be presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, specifically degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, is currently rated at 40 percent and associated left leg radiculopathy at 20 percent. These ratings are based on the severity of his disabilities as determined by VA examinations.,The Veteran does not have unfavorable ankylosis of his entire thoracolumbar spine and has experienced no incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months, which is why he cannot be granted higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation prior to October 23, 2012 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for genital numbness, L4-L5 radiculopathy and neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, trochanteric bursitis of the hips, and pelvic numbness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine or productive of any incapacitating episodes within the past 12 months. No neurological pathology consistent with a separate neurological disability has been shown.

The Board has granted service connection for a right lower extremity disorder (claimed as a right leg disorder) secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral degenerative disc disease. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that there was no additional low back disability due to VA negligence or fault, and thus compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are not warranted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy are currently rated at 40 percent, effective from April 28, 2009. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was evaluated at 40 percent prior to May 12, 2011. The initial evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation from July 21, 2006 until December 16, 2008. From December 16, 2008, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for her cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been rated at 40 percent since April 25, 2012. The Board found that his condition did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and thus the cases are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a low back disorder, combine to provide him with at least a 60 percent rating. The Board finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining her complete service treatment records and examining her current hip conditions.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current low back disability, including sciatic nerve involvement, was caused by events or conditions during service. The examiner concluded there is no nexus between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.