Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the low back disability, based on evidence that supports these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirement for a schedular TDIU. However, due to his non-service-connected stroke and Alzheimer’s/dementia diagnoses, he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that remand for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the service connection for a low back disability. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion on whether each diagnosed back disability is a congenital/developmental defect or disease, and if so, whether there was a superimposed injury or disease in service that resulted in additional back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the analysis regarding functional loss during flare-ups and the need for a retrospective medical opinion. Additionally, a new VA peripheral nerve examination is required to determine the extent of left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for GERD and a lumbar spine disability are dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU beginning November 5, 2010 is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is at least as likely as not related to service, including a fall from a military truck and an IED blast during his deployment in Iraq. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, with the exception of his claim for a higher rating for left eye chorioretinal macular scar and his claims for ratings higher than 30 percent for right shoulder disability and cervical spine DJD. The remaining claims have been reopened and are granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and an increased rating for hearing loss. Additional development is required due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, headaches, left lower extremity neuropathy, a sciatic nerve condition of the right leg, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to ongoing VA examination and record requests.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his military service or service-connected conditions.

The Board is remanding the cases to determine if earlier effective dates for service connection of lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are warranted.

The Veteran's initial rating for his left shoulder disability and lumbar spine disability, as well as the right leg radiculopathy, are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bipolar disorder, cervical spine disability, hysterectomy, and oophorectomy, prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical radiculopathy may be service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities, but an addendum opinion is needed to determine if there is aggravation of the cervical radiculopathy due to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatica are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. The Board notes that he also wishes to withdraw his appeal regarding left lower extremity sciatica, which had never been appealed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any heart disability, hypertension, peptic ulcer disease, kidney disability, or radiculopathy. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous examinations. A new examination is needed to assess the severity of his back disability, including neurological symptoms.