Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of headaches and the Veteran is not competent to attest to such a diagnosis. His cervical spine disability does not cause him to experience headaches, as evidenced by his treatment records.

The Veteran's electric wheelchair, prescribed for his service-connected spinal condition, is found to cause wear and tear on his clothing. The Board grants an annual clothing allowance for the year 2021.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy (also claimed as arm/hand numbness) has been granted at a 40 percent level, effective from August 31, 2021. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has granted effective dates of February 22, 2018 for service connection of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical strain, but remanded for further development on initial disability ratings and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic low back strain with invertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, tinnitus, and left ear hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. The VA will review the additional evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent, but no higher. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied. The Veteran is eligible for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile with adaptive equipment due to the need for aid and attendance of another person, but further evidence is needed to substantiate this claim. The Veteran's need for SMC based on the regular need for the aid and attendance of another person remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claim for TDIU due to a failure to comply with previous directives and because of inconsistencies in the rating decisions. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his right knee and left shoulder disabilities, prevented him from working since March 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sciatica is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings prior to February 25, 2011 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for radiculopathy of the right foot and left foot have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 23, 2009 and since April 1, 2010 for residuals of low back injury, entitlement to TDIU, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to low back injury, and service connection for cervical spine disability secondary to low back injury have been remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder internal derangement with degenerative arthritis was granted a 30% rating effective July 24, 2017. The earlier effective date for the right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy claims is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 21, 2013. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 31, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease, a disability manifested by right thigh numbness (right leg sciatica), and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct causation or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, effective January 2, 2018. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disability was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.,The Veteran's chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine with degenerative arthritis and deformity of coccyx is rated at 20 percent, effective January 24, 2017 to December 10, 2019. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from December 11, 2019 onwards. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease cervical spine, degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine, sciatica (right and left lower extremities), and herniated cervical disc have all been granted. The conditions are found to be related to service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding increased rating for Meniere's syndrome with tinnitus, service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations related to his service-connected radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and associated sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for service-connected left knee, left ankle, right shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.