Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal of service connection for hypertension, hearing loss, and initial ratings for bipolar II disorder with psychotic features and PTSD, spinal stenosis at L4-5, lumbar radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremity, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, and increased ratings for bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection for asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left foot disability, ovarian cyst, sinusitis, arthritis, abdominal pain, chest pain, low back disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, sleep apnea, neuroma of the left foot, fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and anemia. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, tinnitus, depressive disorder, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for right middle finger fracture residuals has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and the need for a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy, and right ankle disability. The issues are currently pending further development.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve, and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve. The eye scar disability has also been granted a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of this decision. For the period from March 1, 2014 to January 24, 2018, his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the TDIU claim must be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board denied reopening of the claims for service connection for dorsolumbar paravertebral myositis with scoliosis and lumbar radiculopathy due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU have been denied as there is no evidence of new and material information or sufficient medical evidence to establish these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right and left external cutaneous nerve radiculopathy are currently rated as noncompensable, with the most severe impairment being moderate.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD with IVDS and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as service connection, based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service connected lumbar spine disability, but the records of potential VA treatment have not been obtained and a VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy as they are related to a right shoulder injury sustained during service. The Veteran's current disabilities may be considered secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for cervical radiculopathy affecting the right upper extremity and lumbar radiculopathy affecting the bilateral lower extremities.,Both conditions are found to be proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and lumbar sprain, respectively.