Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with its March 2016 remand directive and provide an adequate VA examination. The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred for extraschedular consideration prior to July 22, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee conditions, an eye disorder (glaucoma), lower back problems, and sciatic nerve issues. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, TDIU claim, left hip condition, and right hip condition have been dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for asthma have also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Prostate cancer and sleep apnea are now considered due to exposure to herbicides, while degenerative joint and disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all found to be related to service.

The Veteran's IVDS and sciatic nerve disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations. The neurogenic bladder disability is granted an effective date of January 20, 2016. The Veteran’s surgical scars have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity and sciatica of the right lower extremity, both secondary to a service-connected lower back disability, are also granted.

The Veteran's sciatica of the left and right lower extremities were rated at 10 percent prior to November 14, 2014. From that date forward, they have been rated at 20 percent. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating. The cases of right heel spurs and left heel spurs are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, neck strain with arthritis, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to an incomplete grant of benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine injury, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left knee condition, right knee condition, left foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar spurs, and fasciitis), right foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar spurs, and fasciitis), cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral sciatic neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to procedural issues and will be addressed in a later decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the Board is remanding the remaining issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's left wrist strain, medial antebrachial nerve injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome are productive of neuropathy and moderate, incomplete paralysis. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the claims of service connection for various conditions, including a left hand scar and psychiatric disorders. The appellant will be asked to provide additional details about her husband's in-service injuries and medical records will be sought.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated radiculopathy are rated at the maximum available rating. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine if his disabilities have worsened.

The claim for service connection for atrial fibrillation has been reopened, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,The claims for bilateral hand and foot disorders are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied due to lack of diagnosed conditions.