Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted a 10% evaluation for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, but denied an increased rating for residuals of right acetabular fracture.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lower back disability, characterized by pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with sciatic neuropathy and absent ankle jerk, does not warrant a rating in excess of 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service connected, with no exposure to herbicide agents and no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for the veteran's mechanical low back pain with residual muscle strain, as there was no evidence of marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalizations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and neurologic manifestations, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for the diffuse disc bulge with radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy. This includes sending VCAA notice, obtaining medical records, and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected recurrent back strain and TDIU was denied. The RO found that the disability did not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of new and material evidence in reopening her sacroiliac instability claim, failure to meet schedular criteria for increased ratings, and failure to show that she suffered an additional disability as the result of VA treatment.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for several disabilities, including a right shoulder disorder, neck disorder, right knee disorder, and dental trauma, all claimed as residuals of injuries sustained in a truck accident during service on April 18, 1953. The veteran's claim was reopened and granted effective January 2, 2001.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The veteran's chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy has been rated at 40 percent since November 1978, based on severe limitation of motion and mild neurological deficit.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his lumbar strain with right-sided sciatica, finding that the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with spasms, disc protrusion at L5-S1, and mild degenerative disc disease was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective April 26, 1993. The right patellar fracture residuals were initially evaluated as 20 percent disabling from April 14, 1998.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and hypertension were denied, while his right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim is pending with a current rating of 10%.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disc disease does not warrant a higher initial disability rating, as it does not meet the criteria for severe impairment or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 60 percent for his back disability and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has jurisdiction over the November 1998 rating decision that denied service connection for thoracic injury with local atrophy of the spinal cord; fracture of T12-L1, dorsal kyphosis. Service connection is granted based on aggravation.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, are found to be sufficient for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran requested to withdraw his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.