Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability with sciatica, bladder disability, and prostate disability as secondary to his service-connected postoperative hemorrhoids with fissures.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as his TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and completing a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claims for right knee strain, left leg radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine status post four back surgeries have been granted. The claim for right leg radiculopathy is being remanded.,Service connection has been granted for the Veteran’s degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, status post four back surgeries and left leg radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 3, 2003 for the service connection of bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical strain residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the regular and constant use of a wheelchair, cane, leg braces, or crutches. The Board has granted specially adapted housing and automobile and adaptive equipment for these reasons.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left hip, depression and sleep disturbances, and urinary frequency are all denied.,Service connection was not granted for urinary frequency as it is secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding increased ratings for cervical spondylosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's CAD, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability have been granted increased ratings to 60 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.,The issues on appeal include claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, as well as a claim for service connection and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD with depressive disorder was denied in August 2007, and the effective date of service connection is set at February 7, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for cervical strain was denied in August 2007, and the effective date of service connection is set at August 12, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity associated with cervical strain was denied in August 2007, and the effective date of secondary service connection is set at August 12, 2014.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective February 12, 2014. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating due to considerable impairment of health.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are both rated at a 20 percent disability rating, effective December 6, 2012.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating claims have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the case to obtain a current VA examination for LLE radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to resolve the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral pes planus, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and a left shoulder disability. The AOJ should obtain any outstanding medical records and provide an addendum opinion on each issue.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to new evidence being uploaded into the Veteran's electronic claims folder, and a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) must be furnished.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records since the December 2015 statement of the case. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to October 31, 2018 was denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder was granted a 70% rating from March 31, 2016. The claim for increased ratings and TDIU is granted.