Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded as the VA has not conducted an examination to determine his daily personal assistance needs attributable solely to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD as of September 30, 2011. Effective September 30, 2013, the Veteran is also granted SMC due to her combined rating for multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve were denied. The case was remanded due to incomplete development.

Service connection for lumbar spine disability is granted. For the period beginning December 7, 2015, a 10 percent rating for left hip bursitis and non-compensable rating for limitation of extension are granted.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating more than 20 percent for chronic low back syndrome in association with degenerative arthritic changes at all levels of the lumbar spine and pars defect of the neural arch of L5 with anterolisthesis of L5 on S1 and associate lumbar radiculopathy was denied. The evidence did not show favorable or unfavorable ankylosis, but only limited forward flexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spondylosis and spinal stenosis at L4-5 lumbar spine with associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical fusion and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 28, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for additional development due to a possible worsening since his last VA examination in 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve have been granted initial 40 percent ratings, effective March 5, 2010.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) peripheral neuropathy have not met criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for ischemic heart disease, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, sciatica of the right and left lower extremity, and osteoarthritis of the lower back secondary to service-connected conditions due to Agent Orange exposure. The issues are inextricably intertwined as they all relate to the Veteran's service-connected left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, cervical DDD, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical DDD, and bilateral and central polyradiculopathy of the lower extremities. The effective date is set at November 28, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and other issues.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for bilateral lower radiculopathy. The Board dismissed these claims as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including back disability and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are each rated at 20 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating criteria.,The Veteran's sciatica of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 10 percent.