Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 16, 2016, for the grants of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the lower left extremity were denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied.,The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.,The Veteran's claim for a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the lower left extremity was granted, subject to further review.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) is granted service connection. The left wrist fracture, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease and cervical radiculopathy due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for either condition.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 40 percent, and a higher rating is denied. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity remains at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's back disability and his service. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine spondylosis prior to March 17, 2016 was granted with a 40 percent rating. Separate ratings of 10 percent were assigned for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from September 30, 2013 to March 17, 2016. The case is remanded for further action regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with strain with degenerative arthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, lumbar degenerative disc disease and strain, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left thumb ulnar collateral ligament surgery, status post reconstruction/fusion with ankylosis, left thumb sensory neuropathy, and ganglion cyst, left ankle due to outstanding VA medical records from the Little Rock VA Medical Center not being associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and associated bilateral peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability, left lumbar radiculopathy, and PTSD have rendered him unable to maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to potential service connection issues. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service or preexisting conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability and cervical radiculopathy due to the need for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy for the period prior to October 7, 2016. The new examination could result in evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,Effective July 14, 2012, the Veteran was granted service connection for erectile dysfunction, reflux esophagitis, lumbar spine disability with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, right foot plantar fasciitis, limitation of right knee flexion, limitation of right knee extension, and right knee scars. The effective dates for these conditions have not been changed.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the case for further action on the issues of entitlement to service connection for OSA and an effective date earlier than March 15, 2016 for the award of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.