Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a middle and low back disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and sleep disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities for these conditions.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm are currently rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. The Veteran seeks higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have significantly impacted his ability to work, and the Board finds that he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to these conditions. As a result, TDIU has been granted.

The Veteran is granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent, but no more, effective since August 25, 2017. Bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development, including a need for an examination regarding his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and additional VA examinations for his service-connected lumbar spine, lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee disabilities.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder was not incurred by service nor caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inextricably intertwined claim of CUE and the need for further development before a decision can be made on the effective date issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issues of increased ratings for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are on appeal.

The Veteran's bladder and bowel incontinence are related to his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine. Effective August 29, 2003.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent since April 30, 2013.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have more nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, upper extremities, and lumbar spine sprain are pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records and scheduling a new examination. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the issues being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and tinea versicolor/tinea cruris, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service. The skin disability claim is remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran is granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, low back disorder, skin disorder, and neurological disorder of the upper left back. The Veteran is assigned a disability rating of 40 percent for his low back disorder.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims, finding new and material evidence for some but not all of the issues. Service connection is presumed for certain Gulf War-related conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, low back disability, bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorder as they were not incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ankle condition and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus with calcaneal spurs. The claim of entitlement to an increased evaluation for degenerative disc disease L1-2, L2-3 with chronic low back pain and mild scoliosis was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic arthritis of the left knee and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of July 25, 2016. The Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.