Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for complications from back surgery, including entrapment of the common peroneal nerve and left radiculopathy, which he claims are due to December 1996 surgery at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. The Board has ordered additional development as requested by the Court's Order.

The Board has restored service connection for L5-S1 radiculopathy secondary to cervical and lumbar myositis. It also granted increased ratings for cervical and lumbar myositis, with the highest rating of 40% effective from March 17, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of revised criteria for spine disorders and issuance of a VCAA letter.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and providing authorization for VA to obtain these records.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to incomplete VA records, inadequate VCAA notice, and the need for a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating and TDIU was granted effective July 13, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected and have denied all claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need to evaluate under new criteria and reschedule a spine examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for authorization of ongoing non-VA (fee basis) treatment, finding that massage therapy or reflexology is not reasonable and necessary medical treatment.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar myositis with chronic right L5 radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and considering revised rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of both old and new criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint and disc disease at L4-L5 and lumbar radiculopathy was granted, resulting in a 60 percent evaluation effective from October 1991.

The veteran's initial evaluation for his low back disability was reduced from 60 percent to 40 percent, effective August 1, 1997. The Board has restored the 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent evaluation since April 5, 2000.

The appellant is seeking an earlier effective date for a 60 percent evaluation of his service-connected low back disability, which was granted in November 4, 1997. The Board has determined that the RO did not provide adequate notice regarding the information or evidence necessary to substantiate the claim and has therefore remanded the case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims to reopen her service connection claims for urticaria, retinal detachment, right Bartholin abscess, uterine dysfunction with bleeding and uterine myoma, hypertensive heart disease, residuals of thyroidectomy, anasarca, and cervical radiculopathy have been denied because she has not submitted new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with left radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or event leading to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant's cervical spine degenerative changes with cervical radiculopathy are attributable to service and grants this claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his active duty service.