Radiculopathy & sciatica Board decisions

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity, to include as secondary to her service-connected low back strain, should be remanded due to incomplete examination findings.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and musculoskeletal disability of the left shoulder have been granted service connection. The claim for a disability of the left elbow, including ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome, is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that her combined rating of 70% or more makes it at least as likely as not that she is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development regarding his exposure to hazardous substances at Fort McClellan, Alabama. The claims will be further developed and readjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied service connection for a right upper extremity neurological disability, finding no evidence of onset during service or within one year of presumed herbicide exposure. The disabilities were not related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted a 40 percent rating from April 4, 2016 to September 18, 2018. Ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. TDIU is granted as of April 4, 2016.

The Board has found that another remand is necessary as there has not been substantial compliance with the prior Board's directive to afford a separate nerve examination for the Veteran's sciatic nerve disability. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for such an examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right shoulder, left elbow, and right hand disabilities due to insufficient development in prior examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The right lower extremity radiculopathy and hip limitations are not rated higher.

The Board has remanded the SMC claim due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status and additional VA and private treatment records are needed. The appeal is now in remand status.

The Board has denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's right hip, right lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve paralysis as their conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30% rating effective from January 28, 2011. The issues of initial compensable evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia of the left and right knees are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and hypertension, including secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, scoliosis, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected. The initial rating for complex regional pain syndrome is increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and somnambulism were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, but the issue pertaining to right lower extremity radiculopathy is still pending.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical disc degeneration and left cervical radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's right shoulder gunshot wound.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of calcaneus stress fracture, left foot, ED, hypogeusia (loss of smell), lumbar L-5 spondylolysis, and sciatic radicular pain, RLE.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for ED, including as due to service-connected disability; hypogeusia (loss of smell); lumbar L-5 spondylolysis; and sciatic radicular pain, RLE are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for several claims, including the restoration of a left knee rating, increased ratings for right-hand fingers, and service connection for additional lumbar spine disabilities. The issues are remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with these other claims.