Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with his pending back and neck disability claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, resulting in the dismissal of all six issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including a TDIU claim, a rating increase for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, and status-post bypass grafts. The issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination. The issues of increased ratings for right femoral nerve radiculopathy and low back disability are also being considered.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including tinnitus, a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, right lumbar radiculopathy, right hip disability, major depressive disorder, neck disability, low back disability, and right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and heart condition.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, but no higher, effective September 2, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, private medical records, tax returns, and a VA examination. The issues of TDIU and whether the Veteran is incarcerated are also being addressed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted initial ratings of 40 percent since December 29, 2013. The TDIU has also been granted.,TDIU from August 28, 2016 to November 20, 2017 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not play a role in his death and there was no other disability found to be service-connected at the time of his death.

The Board has ordered further action on the claim of entitlement to an increased rating for a low back disability due to incomplete and inaccurate information in the January 2019 VA examination. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy and SVT have been denied due to lack of service connection. The PTSD claim is being remanded for further review.,Service connection for the right leg radiculopathy, SVT, and diabetes mellitus has not been established as they are all related to non-service-connected conditions or events.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran's PTSD, right elbow condition, and back conditions are granted service connection. The neck disability and hypothyroidism claims are denied.

Service connection is granted for lumbar radiculopathy, right lower extremity and left lower extremity.,Service connection is also granted for peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cardiovascular disability. Service connection is granted for skin and sciatica of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, effective February 6, 2007. He is also granted SMC at the rate for housebound veterans from November 18, 2013.,The Veteran's PTSD alone rendered him unemployable and he has additional disabilities independently rated at 60% or more since November 18, 2013.

The Veteran is granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to June 22, 2012.,No effective date prior to May 25, 2010 was granted for service connection of the lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of his service-connected bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes at the first MTP and residuals of ganglion cyst of right 2nd toe and left 3rd toe with scars, as well as other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine the extent of these conditions.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed disorders, including headaches, jaw disorder, left arm disorder, right hand disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete VA records and a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bruxism, status post TMJ, before March 14, 2019, is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded.