Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's obesity claim is denied as it is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder with upper extremity radiculopathy. The appeal is now remanded to determine whether service connection should be granted for heart and hypertension disorders.,The Veteran claims that his current heart disorder and hypertension are related to his military service, presumed exposure to herbicide agents due to service in the Republic of Vietnam, or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and the need for an updated VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's right shoulder injury residuals, including rotator cuff tendinitis, are granted. The left shoulder disability and weight gain issues remain pending for further evaluation. The lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck injury residuals ratings are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed condition of radiculopathy in either upper extremity, and thus cannot establish service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and thus granted his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirement for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran was adequately compensated by his current ratings, with higher ratings not warranted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including right rotator cuff condition, back condition, asbestosis, and knee conditions are remanded due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and TDIU have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all three issues (erectile dysfunction, lower back disability, and radiculopathy) is being remanded due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim for erectile dysfunction. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability and associated radiculopathy are being remanded as well.

The claim of left lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed. The petition to reopen the service connection for a cervical spine disorder is granted, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status, as determined by VA examination. The Board finds that his non-service connected COPD is the primary cause of these needs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to concerns about the adequacy of prior examinations.

The Veteran's right upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 40 percent, left upper extremity neuropathy of the musculospiral nerve and median nerve are each rated at 10 percent, and left upper extremity ulnar nerve and bilateral lower extremity (sciatic nerve) neuropathies are each rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's initial ratings for right lower extremity femoral nerve and left lower extremity femoral nerve neuropathy are both rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and to obtain relevant medical records. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine DDD with IVDS, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical examinations and development needs.

The Board has found that additional development is required due to the need for updated evaluations and consideration of recent examination findings. The claims are being remanded for further action.