Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, which is 50 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran’s recurrent left hip subluxation is currently rated as 30 percent due to malunion of the femur with slight knee or hip disability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees and combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left wrist disability have been granted increased ratings. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the RUE and LUE radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent, and the left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, hip disabilities, ankle and foot disabilities, respiratory issues, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and/or automobile adaptive equipment due to issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including right knee disability, lumbosacral radiculitis, and bilateral high frequency sensorineural hearing loss. The decision is pending further development.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his pending claims and appeals, stating he is satisfied with his compensation and does not wish to pursue any of them.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for low back pain has been granted. The Board has also remanded several other issues including the rating of PTSD, shoulder injury with bursitis, tinnitus, sinus disorder with allergies, sleep apnea, GERD, and tension headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hip condition, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral hip condition is aggravated by his service-connected lower back condition.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve was also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip condition.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her back disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity remain at 20 percent, with no increase in rating granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical degenerative joint disease and cervical radiculopathy are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to new evidence from a VA examination, and because these issues are inextricably intertwined.

The initial rating for radiculopathy and muscle damage has been withdrawn. The back disability remains denied with a current rating of 20%. Service connection for an acquired mental disorder is being remanded.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for DDD of the lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left foot pes planus with pronation, and GERD were denied.,For DDD of the lumbar spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent was denied prior to October 3, 2016, and since October 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate. The issues of increased ratings for these conditions and SMC will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding that there is no current diagnosis or treatment records indicating a neurological disorder in her right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent since April 17, 2017.,An earlier effective date is not warranted as the disability was first diagnosed on that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his lumbar spine condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and service connection for a bilateral hip condition. A new examination is required to assess the severity of these conditions and their relationship to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatica have been rated at 10 percent each, but the Board found that the symptoms did not warrant a higher rating as they were considered mild in severity.