Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease and associated herniated discs and radiculopathy, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, secondary to the service-connected spine disability. The issue of tissue damage of the lumbar spine region is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating of 20 percent for impairment of the sciatic nerve due to his above-the-knee right leg amputation is granted, as he has moderate pain extending from his low back down through the remaining portion of his right lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to September 9, 2016 for service connection of radiculopathy in both lower extremities and granted a rating of 20% for each affected nerve.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by her service-connected back brace, and the Board has granted a clothing allowance for this issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to incomplete records, including a lack of information on SSA disability benefits. The Veteran is also required to undergo new VA examinations to assess his current level of severity for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, shoulder, back, and ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to outstanding VA and private medical records, which are necessary for a proper assessment of the Veteran's low back disability. The remand also includes requesting an addendum opinion from the February 2018 VA examiner.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and depression are all granted service connection.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis of the right hand, arthritis of the left hand, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and a sleep-related disability (including obstructive sleep apnea) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, bilateral ear disability, and increased ratings for DJD of the lumbar spine with IVDS and radiculopathy of the lower extremities associated with DJD and IVDS. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disability and other health issues. The decision also denied reopening of a claim for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found no current disabilities for which service connection could be granted, except for remanded issues.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his TDIU claim from October 11, 2012 to July 12, 2017 was denied due to lack of evidence showing he is unemployable because of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a sleep condition, mental health condition, and renal insufficiency with hypertension. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it should be referred to an extraschedular rating panel. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains in remand status.

The Board has denied service connection for an umbilical hernia, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neoplasms of the kidney as there is no current diagnosis or evidence supporting these conditions.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of a VA examination addressing only his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for temporary blindness and remanded the issues of service connection for neuropathy of the lower left and right extremities. The Veteran's cataracts are not related to his exposure at Camp Lejeune, but his neuropathy is linked to a B12 deficiency.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia and remanded the remaining issues due to need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disability have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent since August 9, 2011. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.