Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left leg disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151, as well as his increased rating claim for colostomy residuals. The decision found that new evidence did not establish a link between the veteran's current disabilities and his active duty service or service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease with left S1 radiculopathy was denied. His claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's postoperative lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with left lumbar radiculopathy does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized as lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica, is productive of severe intervertebral disc syndrome with characteristic pain and radiculopathy, and severe limitation of motion. The current rating of 40 percent is deemed sufficient.

The Board has granted a noncompensable rating for the veteran's cervical spine disorder and a 10 percent rating for his T10-11 disc space narrowing with Schmorl's node, effective from the date of the claim.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals of surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the cervical spine with osteoarthritis and upper extremity radiculopathy, effective February 26, 1993. The veteran's claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted since March 1, 1997.

The veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions. However, the specific rating assigned and effective date are not provided in this decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus with left leg radiculopathy is not well-grounded and therefore denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current neck disorder with right shoulder and arm radiculopathy to service.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current back disorder to her active service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical radiculopathy and an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of L5-S1 discectomy. The veteran was not granted service connection for these conditions, and his claim for a higher rating for his back disability remains pending.

The veteran's combined evaluation for his disabilities is 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's back disability, rated at 20 percent, is now increased to 60 percent due to its severity and impact on his daily life. The Board also granted TDIU based on the service-connected disability.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the requirements for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as they do not render it impossible for the average person to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's low back disability, manifested by subjective functional loss and radiating pain, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher ratings for left shoulder suprascapular nerve injury and cervical stenosis with a history of radiculopathy are not supported by the evidence, as there is no basis to assign compensable or higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the right shoulder and brachial plexus radiculopathy of both arms, finding that there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any event in service. The cervical spine disability was granted a 10% evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran does not have L5-S1 radiculopathy and denied his claim for higher disability evaluation for chronic mechanical low back pain. The current rating of 20% is appropriate given the veteran's symptoms.

The veteran's service-connected sciatic nerve impairment is currently rated at 60 percent, and the RO has granted a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his shell fragment wounds to the right calf and foot (Muscle Groups X and XI), but denied an increased rating for his residuals of shrapnel wound to the right buttock and thigh (Muscle Groups XVII and XIII).