Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

Service connection is granted for a lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability), and dizziness. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's dizziness.

The Board has granted service connection for asbestosis and OSA secondary to PTSD. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues of a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and a compensable rating for surgical scar of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating based on their combined rating of 80%. However, due to the lack of an examination considering her unemployability due to these conditions, the case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.,For the period prior to November 23, 2015, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. Since November 23, 2015, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.,A TDIU rating was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine issues, fibromyalgia, and others, prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with right sciatic nerve involvement and lumbar degenerative arthritis is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and increased the Veteran's rating for complicated syncope versus seizure disorder to 100 percent effective July 11, 2017. The Veteran's claims for gynecological conditions (dysmenorrhea and candidiasis) and a bladder condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence, but the Veteran did not attend the scheduled VA examinations.

The Board finds that remand is required for addendum opinions addressing the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a neck disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran asserts that both conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded four issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the right lower extremity, left foot disability, and loss of vision of the left eye. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including tinnitus, headaches, heart disability, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, bilateral flatfoot and plantar fasciitis, and residuals of a left ankle injury. The issues have been remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to December 18, 2009 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of moderate incomplete paralysis and thus only granted a 10 percent rating. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined disability rating was insufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his disabilities were associated with his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for heart palpitations, sciatica (pain/numbness from lower back to all the way down to the leg/foot/toe), and PTSD.,There is no current evidence of a heart disability or sciatica related to active duty service. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions are not considered competent evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension, OSA, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been granted service connection. A rating of 20 percent has been assigned for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective March 8, 2014.,Radiculopathy of the right and left femoral nerves does not warrant a compensable rating.,Radiculopathy of the left sciatic nerve warrants a 20 percent rating.,Radiculopathy of the external popliteal nerve in both lower extremities from November 15, 2016 is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues include ratings for lumbosacral strain prior to April 15, 2011, from April 15, 2011, and right leg sciatica.

The Veteran's claims were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or compensation. The appeals related to left hand, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, as well as her radiculopathy of the left leg. The issues are inextricably intertwined.