Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease is currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, but the claim for a higher rating remains denied. The radiculopathy of the left leg associated with this condition is also rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to consider applicable rating criteria for his low back disorder. His claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and reopening of service connection claims are also being considered.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO due to deficiencies in the Board's April 2004 decision, specifically regarding the extent of functional and industrial impairment resulting from his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board for further consideration after completion of additional development.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and TDIU due to his service-connected low back injury, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration of his increased evaluation claim for herniated nucleus pulposus with bilateral sciatic radiculopathy, as well as his total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The RO must arrange for a VA spine examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability under the new rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of service-connected disabilities on the veteran's employability.

The veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent each. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The veteran's service-connected herniated disc at L5-S1 is pronounced and manifests severe pain, muscle spasms, and sciatic neuropathy in the left leg. The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Peyronie's disease, benign prostatic hypertrophy, sensory polyneuropathy, nicotine dependence, chronic respiratory disorder (likely COPD with bronchitis), and a low back disorder. The appeals were withdrawn by the veteran.

The veteran's lumbosacral fibromyositis with bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy is rated at 60 percent, the highest available schedular evaluation. The right knee arthritis warrants a separate 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were granted, with the effective date set at July 12, 2000. The TDIU claim was also granted.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including PTSD, diabetes, and various musculoskeletal conditions. The RO is instructed to issue a statement of the case for these claims and afford the veteran an opportunity to perfect his appeals.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability was denied for the period from January 16, 2001 to February 25, 2001 and June 1, 2001 to September 23, 2002. However, his current evaluation of 30% is maintained.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right sacroiliac joint disability and assigned a 20 percent rating effective from February 18, 2001. The RO subsequently awarded a 40 percent rating for the same condition with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine effective from May 13, 2004, and also awarded a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the sacroiliac joint disability and DDD of the lumbar spine effective from May 13, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not have a cervical spine injury or arthritis during service, and any such disability was initially shown many years after service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his service-connected residuals of frostbite.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of a back disorder and finds that new evidence supports a finding that his current low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with sciatic neuropathy, acid reflux, and chronic migraine headaches, are not related to his active military service. The veteran was granted service connection for chronic migraine headaches but denied for the other two conditions.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his low back disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 60% rating effective September 29, 1992. The RO also granted secondary service connection for sensory loss of the left lower extremity with an effective date of September 23, 2002.

The veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for his low back disability and associated radiculopathy was denied by the RO, with a final rating of 40 percent assigned as of September 23, 2002.