Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been rated at 20 percent since March 2018. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating, as they were mild to moderate.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for meralgia paresthesias, gout, and residuals of right ankle sprain were dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability was remanded. Appeals for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and degenerative joint disease remain in appellate status.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and to obtain a new VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, associated radiculopathy in both lower extremities, left shoulder disability, right ankle disability, and right tendon condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU prior to October 28, 2008. The Board has referred this case to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU rating.

The Veteran's mood disorder due to GMC is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine. The rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains at 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied. His left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent from April 1, 2013, with restoration to 20 percent effective that date. The claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board is remanding the cases due to incomplete records and a need for further explanation regarding the reduction in disability evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and left ankle disability due to insufficient examination reports. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, and schedule new examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right lower extremity radiculopathy and its impact on daily activities. The issue of service connection for bilateral knee disorder is referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction.

The Veteran's migraines and vertigo are granted as service-connected.,Effective dates for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease are denied.,Service connection is granted for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Effective dates for these conditions are not granted as the Veteran did not file claims prior to July 7, 2014.,The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development as requested by the appellant and his representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical arthritis and left cervical motor radiculopathy are granted. The claim for an increased rating for depression is remanded.

Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with a service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted, and separate ratings are assigned for left lower extremity sciatic nerve and femoral nerve radiculopathies.

The Veteran is seeking an effective date earlier than October 6, 2009 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that this claim is not warranted as the effective date was correctly assigned based on receipt of a reopened claim after final disallowance.,The Veteran is also seeking an effective date earlier than October 6, 2009 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The Board finds that this claim is not warranted as the effective date was correctly assigned based on receipt of a reopened claim after final disallowance.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for lumbar spine disability, and TDIU. These claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain and paralysis of the sciatic nerve, finding no credible evidence that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. His chronic low back pain with DDD and radiculopathy have also been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating is remanded. The issue of service connection for sleep apnea is also remanded due to lack of opinion in the previous VA examination.