Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his claims for service connection, increased ratings, and earlier effective dates.,Specifically, the AOJ must provide an SOC addressing the issues of increased ratings for bilateral pes cavus, left upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease and IVDS of the cervical spine, and tinnitus, as well as earlier effective dates for these disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating.,The Veteran’s thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) is remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial in 2012.,No specific exposure basis was provided for any of the conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar and thoracic spine disability, a sciatic nerve disability (secondary to the lumbar and thoracic spine disability), and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision on the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending at the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to undergo new examinations and obtain records from various providers.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% effective June 12, 2017. The back disability and radiculopathy are both rated at 10%. These ratings have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations to assess current level of impairment.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative changes and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated, but the current ratings are denied as they do not reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and records from SSA.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability for the period between December 18, 2012 and February 24, 2017.

The Veteran's sciatic nerve involvement and lumbar spine scar are currently evaluated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS and a rating greater than 30 percent for IBS, but has remanded the remaining issues due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of beneficiary travel expenses associated with dental treatment to and from the VAMC in West Haven, Connecticut is denied as he was not entitled to such payments due to VA regulations requiring reimbursement from his points of entry into the United States.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent from February 24, 2015 onwards. Separate evaluations of 40 percent are granted for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in each lower extremity and 30 percent for femoral nerve radiculopathy in each lower extremity.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, including radiculopathy, is granted as service-connected.,Secondary service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran also needs a statement of the case issued regarding his migraine headaches and anxiety disorder claims.

The Board has dismissed all issues of appeal related to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD and depression, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claims for sleep apnea secondary to asthma, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. His claim for an increased rating for asthma is also being remanded.