Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective from April 2008. The right shoulder DJD and thoracolumbar back disability are each rated at 30 and 40 percent respectively, both effective February 2, 2012. RLE radiculopathy is not higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU have been denied as the earliest date of claim is August 10, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for sciatic nerve paralysis and his claim for TDIU due to new evidence being added to the file.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional records and a determination of employment feasibility. The Board will refer the issue to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the reduction of a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy to 10 percent, effective May 9, 2018, was not proper and restored the 20 percent rating from May 9, 2018. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and paralysis of the left ulnar nerve was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of CFS or any other condition related to his claimed disabilities, and that his symptoms were already compensated in his existing service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a complete assessment of his lumbar spine disability and effective date issues due to incomplete records. The lumbar spine claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports and inextricable ties with the back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of generalized anxiety disorder with persistent depressive disorder (claimed as depression and anxiety) was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for lumbar retrolisthesis with lumbar radiculopathy (claimed as chronic low back pain).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical nexus opinions and the need to obtain additional evidence, including Social Security Administration records.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative joint disease (DJD), C7 nerve root impingement, and spondylosis with radiculopathy, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding treatment records, particularly those from a private neurosurgeon and VA's Veterans Choice Program.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims at this time.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine, RLE radiculopathy, and LLE radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development. The propriety of the rating reductions for DDD of the lumbar spine and LLE radiculopathy is also inextricably intertwined with these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability. The claims of urinary incontinence and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depressive disorder) are secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 S/P laminectomy; spondylosis and right sided radiculopathy, as well as his cervical spine disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

Your claim for service connection for left lumbar radiculopathy has been dismissed because it was already granted in a previous decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, right and left ankle disabilities, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and left lower extremity sciatica, must be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.