Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a thoracic spine injury and awarded a 10 percent rating for cervical spine disability (arthritis of C4-C6 with cervical radiculopathy). The veteran's claim was reopened based on new evidence, and the current effective date is December 22, 1993.

The veteran's service-connected knee disabilities are not found to be the primary cause of his peripheral vascular disease and back condition. The Board finds that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected back disability does not warrant a higher rating than the current 40 percent evaluation.

The veteran has withdrawn their appeal regarding the initial disability rating for lumbar disc disease with right lower extremity radiculopathy, which was previously described as low back pain with a history of strain and psychogenic pain disorder.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected compression fracture of T-9 vertebra with radiculopathy does not warrant a rating higher than 50 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected myofacial pain syndrome, lumbosacral spine, with L5 radiculopathy does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 40 percent. Additionally, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Board found that the veteran did not timely and adequately perfect an appeal of his claims for increased ratings for right leg stress fracture, bilateral foot stress fractures, pes cavus, left hip bursitis, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and clinical left L4-L5 S1 radiculopathy. The decision also noted that the veteran's claim for service connection for status post residuals of a stress fracture of the proximal and distal tibia of the left leg was granted in March 1995.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability is rated at 60 percent from January 13, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc bulging at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels with hypertrophic spur formation and history of radiculopathy is manifested by severe limitation of motion, characterized by pain on movement and little intermittent relief. The Board finds the evidence demonstrates the requisite objective manifestations for a 60 percent disability evaluation.

The veteran's service-connected intermittent transient large bowel obstruction, status post colostomy is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for sciatic nerve involvement and paresthesia of the right foot are granted as secondary to his service-connected gunshot wounds.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected low back disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The veteran's low back disorder, including herniated nucleus pulposus and lumbar radiculopathy, is considered to have started during his military service.

The Board's August 1969 decision did not rate sciatic nerve injury or grant special monthly compensation for loss of use of both buttocks due to lack of evidence at the time.

The veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for right sciatic nerve disability, as well as special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both buttocks, are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability warrants an extraschedular rating of 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim for TDIU.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral nerve root injury with radiculopathy and reflex sympathetic dystrophy, currently rated at 40 percent disabling, is granted. The effective date of the increased rating is February 25, 1998.

The Board has determined that the veteran's non-service connected disabilities necessitate regular aid and attendance, allowing for special monthly pension by reason of need for regular aid and attendance.

The VA determined that the appellant's low back strain with sciatic neuritis, secondary to a herniated intervertebral disc at L5-S1, more closely approximates the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation due to moderate to severe limitation of motion in the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was not supported by evidence of record, as there were no claims filed within one year prior to January 27, 1992. The RO denied service connection for cervical and lumbar radiculopathy in April 1973.