Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and patellofemoral pain syndrome are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, his polyuria is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity disorder (claimed as restless leg syndrome), sleep apnea, and hypertension due to service-connected PTSD. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but the evidence does not support higher ratings.,Service connection for sleep apnea has been remanded.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the extraschedular evaluation for residuals of vertebral fracture, increased rating for major depressive disorder, and ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to newly reported symptoms suggesting a worsening of his lumbar radiculopathy.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for service-connected lumbar spine and radiculopathy conditions have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and leg disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical strain claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition.,Prior to September 29, 2017, the Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Beginning September 29, 2017, it has been rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hernia scar is currently rated at 10 percent and remanded for further evaluation.,Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 29, 2017. Beginning that date, it has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several conditions, including lumbar spine strain, traumatic brain injury, major depressive disorder with unspecified neurocognitive disorder, and left lumbar radiculopathy. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a higher rating of 60 percent for her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but her right and left lower extremity radiculopathy remain noncompensable.,Her status post open fracture right distal tibia shaft is rated at 30 percent from April 4, 2012 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted, and he is awarded service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The noninitial rating for his lumbar spine disability remains at 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for an opinion on the combined effect of her service-connected disabilities on her employability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with bulging intervertebral disc, finding that the disability did not more nearly approximate unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral hip disability and other service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 4, 2008. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various back, foot, and spine conditions due to incomplete records and the need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and initial increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated medical evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee, lumbar spine, and right lower extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, due to limited forward flexion and functional loss.,The Veteran's sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 60 percent.