Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected gunshot wound residuals, which led to a sedentary lifestyle and ultimately contributed to the development of arteriosclerotic heart disease. The September 16, 1947 rating decision that reduced his disability evaluation from 100% to 80% is found to contain CUE due to its failure to consider the Veteran's unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sciatica, and his right and left shoulder disorders are diagnosed as AC joint arthritis which had onset during service. The Board denied all other claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine radiculopathy and thoracic spine condition. The Veteran's request to reopen the claim for cervical spine radiculopathy was denied as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim. Service connection for thoracic spine condition was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability was denied a higher rating, with the RO finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent on and after November 24, 2004.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, but his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left lower lumbosacral radiculopathy is rated as 10 percent disabling effective January 24, 2006.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for lumbosacral radiculopathy allegedly caused by VA treatment, but the claim must be remanded due to insufficient evidence and missing records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the relationship between the appellant's cervical spine disability and his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's back disorder is found to be related to his fall in service, while the cervical radiculopathy issues are addressed based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's low back disability and sciatica of the left lower extremity are related to his military service, either on a direct or secondary basis.,The Veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left ankle and low back disabilities, finding that the current schedular criteria adequately described his disability levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of lumbar degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, or bilateral foot disorder that is causally related to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder, which was determined to be related to active service. The appellant's current low back disorder is considered to have resulted from his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected posttraumatic chronic cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The appeal is granted as the rating assigned meets the criteria set forth in the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his left lower extremity impairment is rated at 10 percent. The initial increased ratings for both conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for service connection for a left knee disability has been reopened and is granted. Service connection for low back and sciatic nerve damage are also granted.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than September 27, 2004 for the awards of service connection for chronic sciatica with L2-L3 radiculopathy and cervical degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone cause him to be unable to dress himself, attend to the wants of nature, ambulate outside the home, or protect himself from dangers in his environment and therefore make him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance.