Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO increased the rating for the service-connected osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine to 40 percent effective on September 8, 2008 and for residuals of a fracture of the left fibula to 30 percent effective on July 20, 2010. The Veteran's claims remain pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not related to his period of service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability evaluation for the service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent from August 25, 2010. Other claims were either denied or are pending.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities as these conditions are not caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for scintillating scotoma, anxiety disorder, and heart murmur. The Veteran's osteopenia was also not granted an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. However, he was granted a separate rating for right arm neurologic manifestations related to his service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 50 percent effective September 24, 2012 due to ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 60 percent effective September 24, 2012.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 20 percent for sciatica of the left leg, effective January 28, 2004.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastritis, sciatic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and bipolar disorder. The effective dates for these conditions have not been addressed due to pending remand issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus, Type II. The issues of hypertension and radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for benign essential tremors, finding that his condition preexisted his period of active duty and was not aggravated by such. The appeal regarding an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine herniated disc is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of low back disability. The evidence now shows that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to her right foot injury, which is already service-connected. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to April 22, 2008. The Board has determined that the disability should be increased to 30 percent for this period.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities is granted. His low back disability remains at a 20 percent evaluation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the palm of the right hand. The Veteran's current right hip and back disabilities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities is caused by his service-connected back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective February 24, 2010, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lumbar radiculopathy (back disorder) and left hip sprain (leg condition), finding no positive nexus between these conditions and his service or to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination and consideration of SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete evidence and need for additional examinations.