Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is currently in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100% due to his service-connected disabilities, and the evidence does not show that he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. His entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also denied. The issues of service connection for bilateral trigger fingers and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of left lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no current disability.

The Board has restored the 20 percent evaluations for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities. The evaluation for obstructive lung disease was reduced from 30 percent to noncompensable, but this reduction is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, GERD, headaches (including migraines), hypertension, TBI residuals, seizures, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left shoulder disorders, right and left wrist disorders, elbow bursitis, bilateral hand disorder, knee disorders, eye disorder, sinus disorder with nose bleeds, and face trauma have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The issue of reopening a claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice.

The Veteran's initial ratings for chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, left shoulder impingement syndrome, cervical spine degenerative disk disease, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were granted. The rating for anterior neck scar was also granted but with no assigned percentage or effective date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, right hip condition, right knee disorder, radiculopathy to the right lower extremity, and psychiatric disorder. Additional development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and determine if any acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and PTSD. The issues include seeking higher ratings for these conditions as well as a TDIU determination.

Your claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review of additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 28, 2010 for a separate compensable disability rating for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected laminectomy scar is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, sciatic nerve is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent prior to April 25, 2017 and 40 percent as of April 25, 2017 for service-connected discectomy secondary to herniated disc with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hip condition, chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, bladder dysfunction, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, bowel dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, rotoscoliosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, cervical degenerative disc disease is denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral hip strain, acquired psychiatric disorder, left lower extremity radiculopathy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and additional development of asbestos exposure during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and left sciatic nerve disability, finding no in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also denied a compensable rating for his right knee scar.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence that the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back strain and associated radiculopathy, as well as for earlier effective dates for service connection and TDIU. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder) and a left eye disability. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury (to include headaches) and a neck disability were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DM II is remanded to obtain an addendum opinion.,The Veteran's leg pain issue is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew it from appeal.,Service connection for OSA is granted, with a finding that his current diagnosis of OSA is related to his active military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disorder is remanded due to lack of evidence on direct or presumptive basis.,The Veteran's hip disability rating issue is remanded as the VA examination was conducted in 2017 and he testified that symptoms have worsened.