Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical disc disease, arthritis of the lumbar spine with mild disc disease and spondylolysis, right leg sciatica, and residuals of a postoperative scar on the bridge of the nose. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current low back disability, which he contends started with a back injury in service. The Board has determined that additional action is needed to obtain VA medical records and arrange for a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability has been rated at 20 percent since September 26, 2003. The claim for a higher initial rating remains denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as herniated lumbar disc disease with left leg radiculopathy, is denied because there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and lumbosacral strain have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened the claims but continues to deny them on the merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, a thoracic spine condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found no nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, and his claim for automobile and adaptive equipment is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbosacral radiculopathy was granted. He is now receiving a 20 percent evaluation for his herniated nucleus pulposus since July 9, 2009, and a 10 percent evaluation for his lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to issues related to increased ratings and an effective date, as well as a need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an increased evaluation of his lower back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his post-operative lumbar laminectomy with advanced degenerative disc disease is granted, and he is awarded a 40 percent disability rating. The claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right S1 radiculopathy is granted. The reduction of the Veteran's disability compensation benefits due to incarceration for a felony conviction was proper.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and information regarding work incapacity.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that no new and material evidence had been submitted.