Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, herniated disc at L4-5, and right leg radiculopathy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the L4-L5 and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to outstanding medical records that need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for tension headaches, back disability, neck disability, radiculopathy (bilateral lower extremities), radiculopathy (right upper extremity), left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, allergies, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his back condition, sciatica, and muscle atrophy.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury. The decision also reopened the Veteran's claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability, right leg sciatica, and left leg sciatica were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or pain, as well as lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of post trauma neuropathy, right lower extremity musculocutaneous nerve with right sciatic radiculopathy was denied as the earliest possible effective date is based on the date of his claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, PTSD, bronchial asthma, COPD, bilateral sciatica, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not having been obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus. The claims for LLE and RLE sciatica, left eye lens implant, and right knee disability were remanded.,Service connection was denied for LLE and RLE sciatica, left eye lens implant, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any other claimed conditions.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and alcohol use disorder), sleep apnea, low back disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches and radiculopathies of the extremities, all secondary to service-connected pes planus. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his left and right hip disabilities. The AOJ must obtain all relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with a Statement of the Case regarding the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to July 13, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and remand issues must be addressed due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected sciatic and posterior tibial nerve peripheral neuropathy, ilio-inguinal nerve peripheral neuropathy (left), ilio-inguinal nerve peripheral neuropathy (right), internal saphenous nerve peripheral neuropathy (left), internal saphenous nerve peripheral neuropathy (right), obturator nerve peripheral neuropathy (left), obturator nerve peripheral neuropathy (right), and external cutaneous nerve peripheral neuropathy (left) and (right) have been granted a 40 percent rating prior to November 10, 2015. Effective March 22, 2017, the Veteran has also been granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current service-connected disabilities.