Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted the requested increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disability and lumbosacral strain with right-sided sciatica, assigning a 10 percent rating effective from September 26, 2003 for the right-sided sciatica.

The VA determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, which is currently rated at 20 percent, does not warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms and evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and evidence from SSA.

The Board denied increased ratings for post-operative residuals of lumbar disc surgery, right and left lumbosacral radiculopathy.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's cervical spine disability and its related radiculopathies of the hands and shoulders, effective as of April 18, 2000.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether any lower extremity radiculopathy is related to active service or the service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, moderate limitation of motion, or moderate intervertebral disc syndrome warranting a higher rating under either the pre-amended or amended regulations.

The Board granted service connection for sciatica and depression as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, left ankle disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is found to be directly related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for duodenal ulcer disease and a disorder of the lumbar spine (previously diagnosed as right sciatic neuropathy). The other issues were also denied.

The veteran's GSW of the right forearm (major) Muscle Group V is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for paresthesias of the right arm and status post Arnold-Chiari Type 1 malformation repair with cervical syrinx C5-T1 and radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain with degenerative changes is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of whether any current neurological symptoms can be solely attributable to the low back disability.

The veteran has withdrawn all issues from appeal, including those related to increased ratings and service connection. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal as it is dismissed.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, with residuals L4-5 bulging disc with discectomy and residual radiculopathy and severe spinal stenosis at L5-S1 has not presented such an exceptional or unusual disability picture as to render impractical the application of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Therefore, the claim for a higher evaluation was denied.

The veteran's death was not caused by service-connected disability, and his claim for TDIU is denied. The cause of death due to claimed in-service radiation exposure or herbicide cannot be established.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there was no evidence of significant limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected strain myositis of lumboparavertebral muscles and service connection for a herniated disc with radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board granted increased evaluations for the veteran's low back strain, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and residuals of a fracture to his left ankle.