Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The veteran's lumbar spine disability and its neurological manifestations were rated at 10 percent, with the right lower extremity receiving a higher rating of 20 percent.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected left hip, lumbar spine, left ulna, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities for further development.

The veteran's lumbosacral spine strain with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity sciatica do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and the right shoulder tendinitis and impingement with degenerative joint disease of the acromioclavicular joint was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board grants service connection for sinusitis, chronic headaches (migraine), and lumbar spine disability (degenerative disc disease and left lumbar radiculopathy) based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of an inservice injury or disease and a nexus to his current disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran was not entitled to an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for right sciatica or service connection for a lumbar spine surgical scar.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a herniated nucleus pulposus with right radiculopathy, finding no evidence of a chronic back disorder in service and no competent medical opinion linking his current back disorder to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, bunionectomy of the right great toe with resection of the metatarsal head and degenerative changes, and bilateral pes planus with valgus deformity. However, an earlier effective date was granted for a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for arthralgia of the upper extremities and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with radiculopathy of the upper extremities, as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent. The claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the low back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board finds that the evidence supports the veteran's claim of service connection for sciatic nerve damage or the left leg, secondary to the service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied, with a 10 percent rating assigned for hypertension effective December 22, 2006.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected sciatica and PTSD are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease with L4 radiculopathy and impaired sensation, left lower extremity are being remanded for a travel Board hearing.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy were rated appropriately, but service connection for sensory peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities was denied.

The Board remanded the issues of entitlement to initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis and left lower extremity radiculopathy for further development.

The veteran is granted special monthly compensation for the need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left hip disability, hearing loss, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for residuals of a left rib fracture was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, peripheral radiculopathy of the left leg (claimed as a left hip disorder), an initial compensable rating for a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for residuals, fracture of right maxilla involving temporomandibular articulation.

The veteran's lumbar spine and sciatic conditions were rated at 20 percent, and service connection for hypertension was denied.