Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment. The Board found that the Veteran met the criterion for aid and attendance benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and obtaining SSA records. The issues of PTSD, right shoulder strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right knee chondromalacia are all remanded.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disability, specifically intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and sciatic nerve involvement, was rated at 10 percent prior to February 8, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board denied the appeals for higher ratings based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has dismissed the claim of entitlement to a TDIU due to withdrawal by the Veteran's accredited representative. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendinitis with trapezius strain is rated 30 percent effective from November 4, 2016.,A 40 percent rating for chronic low back pain with history of muscle strain is granted with an effective date of July 12, 2012. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was also granted a 10 percent rating on this same date.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy may be aggravated by his service-connected lumbar strain, and thus remanded for further examination to determine if this aggravation is at least as likely as not.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran's joint pain, fatigue, and other symptoms are remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The Board granted service connection for gout of the feet, finding that the evidence was at least evenly balanced in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to a lack of substantial compliance with the terms of the March 2016 remand, and ordered an addendum opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his lumbar spine disability, are being remanded for further evaluation.,An initial rating greater than 20 percent is sought for a low back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthritis and radiculopathy of the lower extremities are being remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran is seeking higher disability ratings, but the current evaluations do not meet his claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability due to inadequate findings in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, which may be related to his service-connected right knee disability or back and left leg radiculopathy disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially granted at a 50% rating, and since January 4, 2017, he is now rated at 70%. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms have worsened since then. Other issues related to radiculopathy of the lower extremities and right paracentral disc protrusion L5-S1 are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1980 or February 2009 rating decisions regarding service connection for various conditions. The claims were denied based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's right hand ganglion cyst claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right hand ganglion cyst or disabling residuals thereof other than the service-connected scar from the ganglion cyst in service.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and irritable bowel syndrome are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected IBS, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.

The Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluations and TDIU due to inadequate examinations, and requests additional evidence or clarification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of his appeals.