Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, erectile dysfunction as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fracture of left mandible, postoperative.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was not manifested by symptoms of greater than slight incomplete paralysis prior to June 28, 2021. From that date, the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether he met criteria for a higher evaluation.,Prior to June 28, 2021, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was manifested by forward flexion of 35 degrees and muscle spasm resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour. Beginning that date, his disability was manifested by forward flexion of 55 degrees with muscle spasm.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting appropriate examinations.

The Veteran's DDD of the thoracolumbar spine with IVDS is rated at 40 percent, effective prior to March 1, 2021. A separate rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted beginning November 19, 2020.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: PTSD, low back strain with degenerative changes, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and recurrent right ankle sprain. The remand requires VA to obtain treatment records from the Taylor Street Vet Center in Washington, D.C., and to schedule the Veteran for examinations by appropriate clinicians to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sciatica, right lower extremity is now rated at 40 percent effective July 7, 2021. The low back strain with degenerative disc disease remains rated at 40 percent. The rating for sciatica prior to December 2, 2019 was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, cervicogenic headaches, right upper extremity neuritis (claimed as radiculopathy), and obstructive sleep apnea, all secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disease with left radiculopathy (claimed as neck herniated disc C5-C6) and back herniated disc L4-L5 and degenerative disc L5-S1.,Both conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's in-service experiences, including heavy lifting and body strength workouts.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Board has remanded these issues due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle disability, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The rating assigned is 60 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and lack of a nexus between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her right shoulder injury, left leg sciatic nerve condition, migraines, and pelvic pain. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations by VA clinicians who will provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine with DJD and radiation pain is rated at 40 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left and right sciatic radicular disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is characterized as 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40% rating. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability was denied. The increased rating claims for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease were also denied, but the Veteran was granted TDIU status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, Parkinson's disease, sleep disorder, sinus disability, nocturia, altered gait, right ear growth, left knee strain, gynecomastia, inguinal hernia, priapism, bilateral pulmonary embolism, parotid neoplasms, and hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.