Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right shoulder, hip, knee, stomach, leg sciatica, memory loss, low back, and right ear hearing loss disabilities were denied. The Board found no evidence of these conditions in service or related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lower extremity numbness (lumbar radiculopathy), and depression.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an examination regarding the Veteran's reproductive system disability, heart valve replacement, and sciatic nerve damage. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve neuropathic pain syndrome of the left lower extremity is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, while his right lower extremity and external cutaneous nerves are each granted a non-compensable rating. The femoral nerve conditions remain at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinion regarding in-service and post-service symptomatology.

The Board has restored the original ratings for radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities, finding that there was no evidence of improvement to warrant a reduction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so severe that they prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are severe enough to produce unemployability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation and consideration of his claims, including a TDIU claim. His left lower extremity radiculopathy continues to be rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, right knee, bilateral shin splints, left ankle, and right ankle conditions. The denial is based on a lack of current diagnoses or persistent/recurring symptoms.,Service connection was also denied for a low back condition and right leg sciatica secondary to the low back disability.

The Veteran's low back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are rated based on their current manifestations. Service connection for a neck disability, which is claimed as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence showing potential worsening of his conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left eye disability is not service-connected.,For the period beginning January 31, 2005 to September 2, 2010, a 20 percent rating for gout was granted. Beginning September 2, 2010, no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, particularly those related to parachute landings in service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than January 20, 2017 for the grant of a separate initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was also denied.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, as well as his lower extremities (sciatic nerve), have been granted increased ratings. Separate ratings for the femoral nerve are also granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with spondylolisthesis of lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for further evidence and examination.