Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including military hospital records and post-service Army medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it arose during active service. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,Issues related to TBI residuals and bilateral vision disability, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, prostate cancer residuals with prostatectomy residuals, ventral hernia repair residuals, diabetes mellitus, and multiple radiculopathies, make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities were severe enough to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from June 30, 2009. The Board granted the TDIU effective from June 30, 2009.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed low back disorder, bilateral lower extremity sciatica, and their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, tension headaches as secondary to a neck disorder, and cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities as secondary to a neck disorder. The decision is based on direct service connection due to an injury sustained during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to symptoms reported after service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she requested to withdraw her appeal including the issues of earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and higher initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. His rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 20 percent, and he does not meet criteria for higher ratings or SMC based on erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to decide whether the Veteran qualifies for vocational rehabilitation services due to his service-connected disabilities and work history. The case is being remanded for further evaluation by a VRC or CP.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues being granted and others not.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral pes planus and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as they are related to a service-connected right shoulder disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, low back disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected low back disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and requests for these records have not been completed. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional medical records from private providers, including Dr. Baldwin.

The Board found that the procedural requirements for reducing the Veteran's disability ratings were followed, and the reductions from 60%, 40%, and 40% to 20%, 10%, and 10% respectively are granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Her left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TDIU claim should be remanded for a determination on whether he meets the criteria for extraschedular TDIU prior to July 11, 2014. The case will also be referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for further review.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 3, 2011 and August 17, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy and sciatica associated with his lumbosacral strain have been denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to April 1, 2018. A separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted effective July 17, 2017.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral hand/knuckle disability remain pending. The TDIU claim is also pending.