Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include right ear hearing loss, bilateral foot disabilities (pes planus and plantar fasciitis), bilateral knee disabilities, and sciatica.

Your claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy has been fully granted in an August 2016 rating decision. As the benefit sought on appeal has been granted, your case is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since August 15, 2016. A separate rating of 10 percent for mild right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the lumbar spine disability was granted effective January 22, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations, treatment records, and consideration of SSA disability benefits.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to concerns about the credibility of his statements and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates prior to December 23, 2014 were denied as there was no formal or informal claim filed before that date.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are not shown to warrant evaluations in excess of the currently assigned 20 percent ratings. The Board also denied entitlement to TDIU due to the lack of evidence regarding the Veteran's employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including reopening of claims for various conditions. The Veteran's PTSD is also being evaluated further.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains pending.,The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and secondary service connection for right leg radiculopathy, both related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran regarding the earlier effective date issue.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The VA has remanded the issues of increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as service connection for a gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected due to lack of a nexus between current symptoms and in-service noise exposure.,PTSD remains at the maximum 50% evaluation, as there are no additional occupational or social impairments warranting higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine, with right femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathy status post lumbar fusion and residual scar, as well as his service-connected degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease, cervical spine, with left radiculopathy status post compression fracture C5 and cervical fusion with residual scar, have been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee medial and lateral meniscal tears, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and tricompartmental osteoarthritis has also been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right heel injury (Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis) has been granted.,The Veteran's service connection for a headache disability secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 20 percent rating prior to September 28, 2016. The issue of entitlement to service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy is not currently developed or certified.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions related to presumed herbicide exposure during service is remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as of December 26, 2007. The claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a new VA examination with a neurosurgeon or neurologist. The issues of service connection for cervical disorder, bilateral upper extremity disorder (neuropathy), and fecal and urinary incontinence secondary to back disability are referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability, neurological disability of the left arm, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is not granted as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to service.