Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's request for additional training and computer assistance was denied as it is not necessary to improve his independence in daily living given the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis does not result in a neurological disorder of the lower extremities that is shown by objective findings, thus preventing her from receiving a separate rating for lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective since July 9, 2002. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's cervical C6-7 radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent since the citation date, and a higher rating is granted as of January 15, 2009.

The Board denied an initial or staged disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of L4-5 and whether an initial or staged compensable rating is warranted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and any other neurological deficit associated with the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone would cause him to be unemployable. The appeal is now pending again with the AMC/RO.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of lumbar strain do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has vacated the August 29, 2008 decision and remanded the claims for further development.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine warrants a 40 percent rating for impairment of the spine, and separate 20 percent ratings for neurological impairment in both lower extremities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease, L4-L5, with right lumbar radiculopathy prior to June 9, 2004 was denied. The claim for a higher rating since June 9, 2004 was granted and the current rating is 40 percent.

The Board found that the RO's calculation of the Veteran's combined rating of 80 percent was correct in the October 2005 decision and denied the appeal as there is no entitlement to a greater benefit under the law.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back pain with left radiculopathy and right hip degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria, vision impairment, ulcers, left arm disorder, left shoulder disorder, left little finger disorder, left hip disorder, sciatica, spine disorder, and right knee disorder, were denied as there is no medical evidence of current diagnoses or a link to service.