Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board found that the appellant's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, arthritis, radiculopathy, and ankylosing spondylitis, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral spine with asymmetric facet joints at L5-S1 with sclerosis was determined to be a defect rather than a disease, and thus not subject to service connection.

The Board has granted a 60 percent evaluation for chronic low back pain with L5 radiculopathy effective from November 18, 1997. The veteran's service-connected disability is sufficiently disabling as to preclude securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 60 percent evaluation, which is the maximum available under current VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for urinary incontinence and an increased rating for right-sided cervical radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his back condition was granted, and he is now rated at 60 percent. Service connection for reflux laryngitis claimed as a digestive problem was also granted.

The veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical care and services on November 27, 1997 were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement is denied.

The veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, were evaluated and increased ratings were granted.

The Board has determined that a rating of 60 percent for cervical disc disease with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis with bilateral cervical radiculopathy is warranted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for extension of a temporary total disability rating due to failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in part to determine entitlement to the benefit of extension of a temporary total disability rating. The RO assigned a temporary total rating effective from December 22, the date of surgery until February 1, 1999.

The Board found that the veteran's lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy did not result in an increase in severity as a result of VA surgery performed in November 1986, and thus denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for back disability.

The Board finds that the veteran's residuals of an electric shock injury, characterized as sciatic hypesthesia, cause no more than mild impairment and grants a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his service-connected back disability did not contribute to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding no evidence of a current low back disorder related to his military service or a service-connected disability. The cervical spondylosis with right radiculopathy C5-C6 was rated at 40%.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating on his neck injury with cervical radiculopathy was dismissed due to the death of the veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease with sciatic neuropathy, has been rated at 60 percent since the date of her claim. This rating is based on the severity of symptoms including pain and neurological deficits.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with radiculopathy, currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that additional development and adjudication are needed due to the lack of consideration of DeLuca factors in the previous examination report.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected low back pain with sciatica is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for sciatic neuralgia, finding that it was not granted.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his residuals of a gunshot wound and surgery of the right thigh, as well as his neuralgia of the sciatic nerve. The maximum schedular evaluation for these conditions is already in place.