Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's traumatic neuritis of the right sciatic nerve is currently manifested by pain radiating to the right knee area, mild to moderate weakness of in the right leg muscles, less than marked atrophy of the right calf muscles, and mildly diminished sensation in the sciatic nerve distribution of the right leg. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent have not been met.

The veteran's service-connected tuberculosis lymphadenitis is rated at 100%, but his nonservice-connected cervical and lumbar spine conditions, along with other disabilities, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The VA determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's C-6 radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome to his military service.

The veteran's service-connected cervical spine condition is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on moderate recurrent attacks or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar arthritis with bilateral sciatica. The Board finds that the veteran's current low back problems are related to an inservice injury, thus granting service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the veteran with a VA medical examination to assess his current residuals from the in-service femur fracture. The issue of service connection for a low back disorder is also being addressed.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of revised rating criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's internal derangement of the left knee was rated at 20 percent from April 23, 1997, to June 30, 2003.,Osteoarthritis with limitation of motion of the left knee (status post surgery) was rated at 100 percent from August 4, 2000, to September 30, 2000; 20 percent from October 1, 2000, to June 5, 2001; and 30 percent since August 1, 2002.,Degenerative disc disease of L5-S1 was rated at 40 percent from September 11, 1998, to February 7, 2001; 60 percent from February 8, 2001, to January 31, 2002; and 40 percent since April 1, 2002.,Right L-5 radiculopathy affecting the right lower extremity was rated at 20 percent from September 23, 2002.,Service connection for trochanteric bursitis of the right hip (claimed as secondary to service-connected left knee disability) was granted.

The veteran's chronic lumbar strain was incurred in service and granted service connection. However, the herniated disc and radiculopathy are not related to service and were not granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claim can be adjudicated, including notifying the veteran of new rating criteria and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability.

The veteran's right elbow disorder is rated at 10 percent, and he has a combined evaluation of 80 percent from his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increased rating for the right elbow disorder. However, the veteran's multiple service-connected conditions collectively preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased disability rating and service connection were denied. The Board found that her headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and her claim of an undiagnosed illness was not supported by evidence.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder and found that there is an approximate balance of evidence to support the claim. The Board determined that it was at least as likely as not that the veteran's current back disability, including lumbosacral spine stenosis with right L5-S1 radiculopathy and degenerative changes in the lower lumbar spine, was related to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim and determined that his current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to an injury he sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in May 1996, which aggravated a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and requesting an addendum from a VA physician regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The VA has determined that the veteran's low back disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as his condition does not meet the criteria for more severe intervertebral disc syndrome or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service.

The case is being remanded for additional VA treatment records, a neurology evaluation, and consideration of amended rating criteria.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as spinal stenosis with radiculopathy and arthritis of the spine, is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.