Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 30, 1999, for a separate 10 percent evaluation for incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. The decision found that the earliest date of entitlement was April 30, 1999.

The Board granted a rating of 60 percent for spondylitis with spondylolisthesis, effective prior to September 23, 2002.

The Board finds that the appellant's current lumbosacral spine, hip, and cervical spine disorders are related to his military service. The claim is granted.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder was granted, and he received an effective date of April 2, 1992.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was established from August 27, 1992. The veteran also received TDIU benefits starting May 27, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the knees. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for scoliosis of the cervicothoracic spine with radiculopathy of the shoulders and wrist is remanded due to need for further development.

The Board has determined that the appellant's lumbar spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1993, and therefore denied service connection.

The veteran's service-connected left arm muscle and nerve residuals are shown to be manifested by a neurological deficit that more nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased evaluation, but granted a 20 percent evaluation for low back strain with right sacroiliac radiculopathy effective July 2, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy, was incurred in active service.

The veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under either the old or new VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reimbursement of a computer and printer, as well as self-employment assistance. The VR&C found that reimbursement was not authorized under VA regulations due to lack of requirement by the law school and no evidence showing necessity for such items.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical opinions and examinations to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The veteran will also be provided an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current migraine headache disorder or cervical spine disorder that is service-connected. The veteran's claimed conditions are denied.

The Board denied entitlement to an effective date prior to February 26, 1992 for the grant of service connection for right hip degenerative joint disease.,The Board also denied entitlement to an effective date prior to May 22, 1997 for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from caring for his daily personal needs and do not render him unable to protect himself from the hazards of daily living. The appellant is not substantially confined to his house or immediate premises as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, right total hip replacement, flat feet, and lower extremity radiculopathy, render him unemployable due to constant pain and limited mobility. The Board finds that a total rating based on individual unemployability is warranted.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for low back strain with degenerative disc disease and herniated nucleus pulposus at L5-S1 with bilateral sciatic neuropathy was granted, with the rating assigned being 60 percent.

The Board granted entitlement to service connection for internal derangement of the left knee as secondary to service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, and assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective August 16, 2000. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and right knee disability were remanded.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected disabilities were granted, with the evaluation for herniated nucleus pulposus L3-S1 with radiculopathy increased to 40 percent effective July 16, 1996.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder but granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability.