Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in a TDIU effective October 20, 2016. The claim for increased disability ratings for the remaining conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions. The Veteran is also denied a compensable disability rating for his left shoulder and back scars.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision, so the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU. The rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral metatarsalgia is denied due to lack of relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates for hypertension and disability ratings for cervical spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations, and consider a claim of CUE in prior rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,Service connection has not been granted for a sleep disorder, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, or headaches.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for neck conditions, right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined due to the need for clarification of opinions related to a neck condition. The claims are therefore being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests further development including new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extension of temporary total disability rating, increased ratings, and individual unemployability due to service-connected conditions. The appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of May 5, 2003, for left cervical radiculopathy is granted. The claim for a higher rating for right cervical radiculopathy prior to September 10, 2009, is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the October 2018 rating decision. The issues of service connection for left foot condition, right foot condition, low back pain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and left ankle are all being remanded as there were duty-to-assist errors prior to the October 2018 rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg radiculopathy is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of current disability and links it to his service-connected low back disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy are granted service connection. Cold injury residuals are denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to the in-service cold injury.

The Veteran's claims for neurological disabilities of the left and right hands, as well as his elbows, are denied. The claim for thoracolumbar spine arthritis with scoliosis is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations. The Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and osteoarthritis, left hip.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not rated compensable due to lack of penis deformity with loss of use.,Left knee disability and diarrhea/Irritable Bowel Syndrome need further examination for etiology.,Gulf War Syndrome claim reopened but no service connection granted as there is no evidence linking the symptoms to service or a known undiagnosed illness.,Right lower extremity sciatic nerve disability needs further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease with L5-S1 herniation and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.