Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with sciatica was denied. The claim to reopen the service connection for arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease with myocardial infarction was also denied, as new and material evidence had not been received since a previous denial in 1988. The Veteran's claim for service connection for basal cell carcinoma was denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, which is service-connected and not related to any exposure basis or presumption, has been rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current rating of 20 percent does not adequately reflect the severity of his condition, specifically noting moderate impairment in motion and weakness. Therefore, a higher 40 percent rating was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbosacral injury have been rated at 20 percent since the effective date of service connection. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral strain and left lower radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a right ankle disorder is granted. However, the Board finds that additional development of evidence is required before addressing the merits of his service connection claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability and service connection for a secondary condition related to his right arm radiculopathy with hand weakness have both been denied by the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a hearing before a Decision Review Officer at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, a psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for her lumbar spine, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 60 percent, effective from the date of the initial claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board agrees and grants the TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected low back disorder was denied. The VA determined that the current symptomatology did not warrant a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Board found that peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and feet was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and is not proximately due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA decision and medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his lumbosacral spine disorder is denied, as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for right sciatic radiculopathy prior to May 6, 2005 is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing in Denver, Colorado. The Veteran requested this due to his relocation away from Houston.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete record from October 1973 to September 1977. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, arthritis of the neck and lower back, and cervical radiculopathy will be reconsidered after obtaining the missing records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted. He is now rated at 40 percent for each condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease at L4-5 were both rated as 20 percent disabling, effective from the date of his claim.