Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent, and he was granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the reduction from 60 percent to 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right lumbosacral radiculopathy involving multiple roots, including L4, L5, and S1, with bilateral leg pain was proper.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent evaluation for his low back strain as of November 28, 2006, but an evaluation in excess of 20 percent prior to that date was denied.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the cervical spine disability, finding that the current 30 percent rating was appropriate given the severely limited motion without unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board granted an effective date of January 2, 1992 for the award of service connection of right and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a hearing and addressing an unprocessed notice of disagreement regarding a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and provide the veteran with an appropriate supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for degenerative changes of the cervical spine, with right upper extremity radiculopathy and right shoulder biceps tendonitis as they were not caused by VA hospital care, medical or surgical treatment, or examination.

The Board denied a claim for higher ratings, finding that the Veteran's post-operative fusion at C5-6 with arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with left L2-4 radiculopathy did not warrant an evaluation higher than 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including herniated nucleus pulposus with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 status post laminectomy, post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of gunshot wound of the anterior neck with paralysis of the left vocal cord, tracheotomy scars, and impaired respiration, sciatica of right lower extremity, and sciatica of left lower extremity, have caused him to lose use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of a cane, braces or wheelchair.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease without radiculopathy was increased to 20 percent disabling effective June 27, 2008.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and increased ratings for the low back disorder, right knee disorder, right wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's low back disability, granted a 40 percent rating for left leg radiculopathy, and denied an increased (compensable) rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected left leg sciatic nerve injury was granted, and an increased initial evaluation of 40 percent was assigned.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated L4-5 disc and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for chronic left L5 radiculopathy by electromyelograph associated with his low back disability, effective November 15, 2005.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with lumbar spondylosis was denied a higher rating, but he was granted separate 20 percent ratings for lumbar radiculopathy to the right and left lower extremities.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and the claim is granted. The other issues are denied.