Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, are being remanded due to the passage of time and the indication of worsening symptoms. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right bicep disorder is granted an initial 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information and VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service.,VA has granted the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatic nerve damage, left leg. The Veteran's knee conditions are also remanded.,Service connection is not granted for pseudofolliculitis barbae as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, or dermatitis of the right elbow (claimed as skin rash) due to service.,The preponderance of evidence shows that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Veteran's ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome were restored to 40%, 20%, and 30% respectively effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability was denied.,Restoration of ratings for low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and RUE ulnar impaction syndrome were granted based on improvement demonstrated by the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The Veteran is also being examined for potential service connection for erectile dysfunction.,Additionally, he is being evaluated for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Veteran's appeals for right shoulder disability, forehead basal cell carcinoma, bilateral hand disorder, mouth disorder, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection for a sleep disorder has also been dismissed as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for his right arm radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis of any radicular group or ulnar nerve.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations. The appeals are now sent back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for initial consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination reports and conflicting opinions. The Veteran's back problems, left and right lumbar radiculopathies, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder are all being reviewed again.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability and denied service connection for this condition. The cases of acquired psychiatric, cervical spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and traumatic brain injury are remanded due to incomplete or inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective July 23, 2019. The initial ratings for hypertension and bilateral foot disabilities remain unchanged.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for tinnitus, residuals of right-shoulder rotator cuff surgery, and left shoulder condition were granted. Claims for disorder manifested by sleep issues, hypertension, radiculopathy of the LLE, radiculopathy of the RLE, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis, as well as PTSD, are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding radiation exposure and potential aggravation of conditions by CML.

The Veteran's right hip avascular necrosis, left hip bursitis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremity are all found to be related to his military service.,The Board has also remanded several other issues for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for various conditions including a left knee disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, IBS, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.