Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, wrist, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. Service connection was also denied for chronic diarrhea. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his current disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for hiatal hernia was granted, and service connection for hypertension, PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, major depressive disorder, right little finger ankylosis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for various conditions was also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but his shirts are not damaged by the brace. The Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance.

The Veteran's lumbago and chronic low back pain (posttraumatic) are rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 and a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, clinical peripheral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded several issues related to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, increased ratings for left and right wrist disorders, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his lumbar strain have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple myeloma, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection is based on exposure to ionizing radiation during military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient examination findings, necessitating further evaluation.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as radiculopathy) because the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim and does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination and medical opinion. The issues include evaluations in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee degenerative changes, and left knee degenerative changes.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is correct as only moderate incomplete paralysis has been shown.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and effective dates have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board also remanded one issue: an evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability, sciatica, and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DJD of the lumbar spine is denied. The claims for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities are also part of this appeal, with the right leg rated at 10 percent prior to November 10, 2010 and 20 percent thereafter, and the left leg rated as 10 percent throughout. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, and PTSD. The issues of service connection and TDIU are also being addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The skin disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip disorder, back disorder, and right leg radiculopathy. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The hearing loss claim was not granted, the psychiatric disorder claim resulted in a non-compensable rating, and sciatica of both lower extremities received initial ratings but were later denied. Service connection for tinea pedis is remanded.