Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board denied the appellant's application for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits under Chapter 35, Title 38, United States Code due to her reaching her 26th birthday prior to the effective date of the veteran's permanent and total disability rating.

The Board denied a total disability compensation rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, and did not find clear and unmistakable error in this decision.

The Board has restored the veteran's original 60 percent rating for his service-connected spondylolisthesis, status post lumbar fusion with radiculopathy involving lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical evidence regarding whether the appellant requires regular aid and attendance of another person as a result of his service-connected disabilities. A VA examination is needed to determine this.

The veteran's sciatic neuritis resulting from a fracture of the left ilium is currently rated at 60 percent, which is in excess of the requested evaluation. The other issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability was not incurred during service and is not related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 6, 1989 for TDIU was not warranted as his entitlement arose on or after July 6, 1989.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding that a cervical spine disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and that his low back disability is equivalent to moderate intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks.

The Board has dismissed the appellant's appeal as to the issue of entitlement to compensation benefits, pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151, for prostatic calculi due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 20, 1995 for the service-connected lumbar strain with sciatica is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board granted the veteran's service connection for residuals of frostbite of the left and right hand, as well as residuals of frostbite of the left and right foot. The effective date is August 27, 1999.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's right upper extremity polyradiculopathy from September 11, 1989 through January 26, 1996.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the severity of his service-connected back disability and any associated neurologic manifestations.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension on account of need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his lower back disability and hearing loss of the left ear was denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hearing loss of the left ear is October 26, 1988.

The Board found that the appellant's back disability existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected back disorder did not substantially or materially contribute to his cause of death, which was a heart attack. The Board concluded that other factors such as age, male sex, hypercholesterolemia, tobacco use, and obesity were more significant contributors.