Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right and left leg sciatica and external popliteal (common peroneal) nerve were rated at a 20 percent effective June 24, 2016. The appeal for an earlier effective date was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, lower back condition, and neck condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence linking her claimed disabilities to her military service. The Veteran is advised to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated her for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for radiculopathy, left upper extremity and an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for radiculopathy, left upper extremity. The service connection claims for left shoulder strain and back disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's request for higher ratings for his lower extremity radiculopathies and lumbar spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 20 percent rating. The low back disability has also been granted, but the Veteran is still seeking an increased rating. The case is being remanded for further evaluation of his low back condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was denied, and a 10 percent rating but no more for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted as of January 17, 2013.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, and the left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 10 percent. The Board has denied increased ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's low back strain disability is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has remanded this issue to obtain additional evidence and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the regulatory thresholds for an award of a schedular TDIU rating. However, his claim may be considered on an extra-schedular basis due to the functional impairment resulting from his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for earlier effective dates due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for radiculopathy of right upper extremity and service connection for limited motion of arms and hands.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has decided to remand this case for a new examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete evaluations and need for clarification regarding nerve involvement.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disorders. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and provide a new opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 8513. The Board finds that her condition does not warrant a higher rating as it is best characterized as mild.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service connection for back and hip disabilities, as well as TDIU claims. The AOJ is instructed to provide a VA Form 21-8940 to the Veteran and obtain an opinion regarding her functional impairment from service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective November 14, 2006.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not warrant a compensable rating, and service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted. The case of dizziness is remanded due to new medical literature submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 7, 2013 for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent from March 7, 2013 for LLE radiculopathy is also remanded with an additional request for extraschedular consideration.