Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are being remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting diagnoses and lack of clarity on whether his right ankle injury could have caused or aggravated his back conditions.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted a 50% rating effective April 10, 2012. His cervical spine disability with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is granted increased ratings of 20%, 30%, and 20% for the right and left upper extremities respectively from July 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, CAD, feet swelling, hand swelling, and neuropathy were denied. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and carbon tetrachloride exposure in service.,The Veteran’s eye disorder claim is remanded due to lack of VA examination records. The duty to assist was triggered by the evidence suggesting a correlation with carbon tetrachloride exposure.,The Veteran's dementia (memory lapses) claim is also remanded for an examination, as it may be related to carbon tetrachloride exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a rating of 20 percent assigned for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine effective June 16, 2008. The issues related to left leg radiculopathy and right leg radiculopathy have also been resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete examination reports and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claims for service connection for mild DDD with disc protrusion L5-S1 and plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board has remanded both issues due to a need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA Compensation and Pension examinations, insufficient lay evidence, and need for medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent from November 30, 2011 to November 29, 2017.

The Board has dismissed all issues as they were previously decided in a June 2016 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction, and right hip osteoarthritis. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the right hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of March 6, 2014 for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, IVDS, and radiculopathy associated with IVDS.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability and left side sciatica due to conflicting opinions on whether these conditions are related to service, particularly if they are aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to make a determination on the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for his service-connected disabilities was reduced from 100% to 90%. The Board notes that the reduction may not be proper due to worsening of his sciatic neuropathy. A new examination is required to assess the severity and permanency of his service-connected disabilities, including sciatic neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to a 90 percent rating between December 20, 2010 and December 30, 2014. Prior to December 30, 2014, the Veteran was not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity sciatica, and OSA. The claim for reopening of the service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for an initial compensable rating for erectile dysfunction. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's complex regional pain syndrome of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve involvement) is rated at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder was denied as the preexisting condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his active service and was not aggravated by his active service.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability was granted, but an increased rating of 20 percent from November 25, 2014, to present has been denied.