Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also under consideration.

The Board has restored the ratings for lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but has remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct further examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and sciatic nerve and sacroiliac joint disorders, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him incapable of maintaining substantially gainful employment from the period beginning February 4, 2017. TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is granted a rating of 40 percent, and the other issues are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date due to its intertwinement with his increased rating claim. The increased rating claim is pending and will be adjudicated first.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU since April 4, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. The VA has also remanded the cases for increased ratings of herniated nucleus pulposus and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate August 2014 VA examination and a need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing an addendum opinion on functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance due to use of a low back brace, as there is no probative medical or lay evidence showing wear and tear on clothing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of healed compression fractures at T7-9 was denied. Service connection claims for various conditions were also denied, with the exception that service connection for residuals of healed compression fractures at T7-9 received an effective date of May 12, 2003.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are causing him to need assistance with activities of daily living, and he requests a VA examination to determine if he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate. The Board has determined that further evaluation is needed due to the passage of over three years since his last VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for ulnar nerve impairment and denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's right-hand condition is related to his in-service injury, while the carpal tunnel syndrome is not.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and denied increased ratings for lumbosacral spondylosis, left lower radiculopathy, and right lower radiculopathy. The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service as there is no evidence of it within one year post-service. His lumbosacral spondylosis did not result in incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest, so a higher rating could not be granted.

Service connection is granted for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.,The Veteran's tinnitus has been rated at its maximum schedular rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU as of February 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence demonstrating the presence or onset of the claimed conditions prior to February 16, 2016.,An effective date prior to February 16, 2016, was not granted as there is no indication that radiculopathy or a right knee disorder existed before this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a combined disability rating of 80 percent due to procedural issues. The Veteran is also being asked to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of increased ratings for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine their current levels of severity.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of increased ratings for ventricular arrhythmia and valvular heart disease, lumbar strain and thoracic degenerative disc disease (DDD), and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine their current levels of severity.