Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Board has found sufficient lay and medical evidence to suggest that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities may have prevented him from being capable of obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation post-separation. The issue is remanded for referral to the Director of the Compensation Service for adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected back and lower extremity disabilities, combined with his education and work history, rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment from August 18, 2013. The Board granted total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further examination and medical guidance to determine if his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is related to his service-connected low back disability, and to evaluate the severity of his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted with an effective date of December 31, 2014. The Veteran also received a grant for left lower extremity radiculopathy and insomnia. However, the reduction in rating from 20% to 10% for his lumbar spine disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 11, 2008. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is granted as service connected. The claims for a left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded due to incomplete processing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD and coronary artery disease, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity, as secondary to a service-connected disability, needs further development. Specifically, they need to locate and associate any inpatient medical records from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Base Hospital from April 1, 1961 to May 31, 1961.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to issues related to increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and associated right lower extremity radiculopathies, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for severance of service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine, left sciatica associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and right sciatica associated with DDD of the lumbar spine. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that further assistance is necessary to properly adjudicate the issues on appeal, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new examination for both lumbar spine disability and RLE radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection for major depressive disorder is granted. Increased ratings are granted for his low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy from May 27, 2016. A TDIU determination is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability and right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy have been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar spondylosis and bilateral lower extremity sciatica, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The effective date was not earlier than October 15, 2014 as these conditions were first received by VA on that date.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's pes planus, cramps in the calves, sciatica/lumbar region stress fracture, and radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (numbness of legs), and major depressive disorder are granted secondary service connection.,Service connection for fibromyalgia, neck disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, lipid disorder, sleep disorder, and headache disorder is denied.