Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy are denied. A rating of 20 percent is granted for the right lower extremity radiculopathy, but no higher.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded again for compliance with its prior remand directives due to inadequate examination findings regarding potential additional functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence review. The issues include back disability, headaches (undiagnosed illness), left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (undiagnosed illness), right upper extremity neuropathy (undiagnosed illness), right lower extremity radiculopathy (undiagnosed illness), and left lower extremity radiculopathy (undiagnosed illness).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (associated with lumbar strain), and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy are related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the claims for increased ratings for right ring finger and thumb scars, and has remanded the remaining issues including service connection and rating determinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and arrange for a VA examination regarding his pes planus and left foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic lumbar strain prior to March 6, 2018 was granted. The effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy associated with the Veteran's chronic lumbar strain were set at March 12, 2013.

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for weight gain is denied.,Service connection for right and left bunionectomies, status post hallux valgus, has been denied as the conditions are not diseases or injuries alone for which service connection may be established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board denied compensation benefits for herniated disc and radiculopathy with foot drop, left lower extremity, as the Veteran's conditions were not caused by VA treatment or care.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current conditions are related to his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective March 5, 2019.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, neuropathic bowel dysfunction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and left lower extremity sciatica. The VA examiner found that these disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and lower extremity radiculopathies. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica of the left lower extremity and cervical spondylosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to showing these conditions are associated with the Veteran's service.