Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2011. The Board found no evidence warranting a higher rating during this period.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic post-operative meniscectomy of the right knee. The case is being remanded to obtain additional opinions regarding service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hip strain, and left knee disability.,The Board has also ordered additional examinations and opinions on whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and if so, whether they were aggravated by her right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a TDIU, but the increased rating claims for the lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity sciatica, right hip strain, and left hip and left knee disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all conditions and issues except hypertension, PTSD/Depressive Disorder with Memory Loss, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, GERD, back disorder, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left hand disabilities, diverticulitis, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, arthritis of the entire body, fibromyalgia/arthralgia, erectile dysfunction, rhinitis, migraine headaches, fungus of the feet, sinusitis, hypercholesterolemia. The Board dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's withdrawal.

The Veteran's nervous condition or psychiatric disorder also claimed as sleep disorder is remanded.,The Veteran’s ED claim is remanded along with the nervous condition/psychiatric disorder claim, and held in abeyance until that claim is fully developed and addressed by the AOJ.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is remanded.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to conflicting evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact her ability to work.

The Veteran's service-connected spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine has resulted in a separate rating of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, back disorder, and bilateral lower extremity sciatica as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, osteoarthritis of the hips and knees, degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy, have rendered her unable to work due to functional limitations. The Board finds that further examination is needed to assess these effects on employment.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, effective from December 22, 2009. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the new claim or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to his inability to dress, undress, or bathe himself as a result of his disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for tuberculosis and remanded the radiculopathy issue due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the July 2017 Board decision to comply with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination and its results.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural issues and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's death is noted, but DIC claim remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, with no further increase in rating possible.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations on several of his service-connected conditions, including degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, lumbosacral spine; left knee tendonitis; right knee tendonitis; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain. The appeal regarding unspecified depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the inclusion of relevant medical evidence in the record, and because the intertwined issues regarding lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU need to be addressed before final decisions can be made.