Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease L4-5 and L5-S1 level with spinal stenosis with radiculopathy is found to preclude him from performing substantially gainful employment due to his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, along with radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity, have been granted separate evaluations. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective June 30, 2003.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent effective June 30, 2003.,The Veteran's DJD of the bilateral knees is rated at 20 percent each effective June 30, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 20, 2002. The associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities is rated at 20 percent each, effective October 31, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have sciatica of the left lower extremity and finds no evidence to support a finding that any current disability is related to service or a service-connected condition. As such, the claim for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 20, 1993 for the grant of service connection for left leg radiculopathy with pain secondary to sciatic nerve associated with chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's panic disorder without agoraphobia is found to be incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective from March 2004. The claimant is seeking higher evaluations for her right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to September 23, 2002. The effective date of the TDIU rating is set at September 23, 2002.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis of the lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as the issue regarding severance of service connection for PTSD, are being remanded due to inadequate evidence. Further development is needed including a VA examination, verification of claimed stressors, and additional medical records.

The Veteran's lumbar disc syndrome with sciatica is currently rated at 40 percent, and he has been granted separate ratings for radiating neuropathic pain in both lower extremities. His thrombophlebitis of the right leg is also rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine conditions and mood disorder are service-connected, with the mood disorder being secondary to his service-connected cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 60 percent effective December 27, 2005. The right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at a 20 percent rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain with intermittent L5-S1 radiculopathy, currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by limited motion and mild sciatica, is rated at 20% under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. A separate 10% rating is assigned for the neurological manifestations (sciatic nerve).

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities was granted. He is currently rated at 40 percent for the low back disability, effective from August 21, 2008, with separate 10 percent ratings for right and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability of the sciatic nerve, claimed as right leg disability is denied. The VA examination did not show any current disability and there was no evidence linking his current symptoms to service.