Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions.,The Board has also found that there is a need for an addendum opinion on the severity of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disability, including any pertinent symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not manifest in service or within one year of service and is not related to any event or incident of his active military service. The claim was denied on the basis that the Veteran does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, which may be related to the Veteran's right knee disability, and service connection for left lower extremity sciatica. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 1, 2017 and increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve were denied.,The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the femoral nerve were denied.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is remanded due to conflicting medical records regarding the presence of left foot drop, which could affect eligibility. Additional VA evaluations are needed to clarify this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased rating for a back disability and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and constipation. The case is being remanded to obtain new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of his left ankle, right and left knee disabilities as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability due to potential secondary etiologies. The appeals are now pending with the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and hypertension, as well as an increased rating for left knee disability. The case is REMANDED to schedule new examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypogonadism with low testosterone is currently rated at zero percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at zero percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at zero percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated at zero percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is granted, as are her bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for a higher rating for myofascial pain syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims of service connection for cervical and thoracic muscle damage, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, increased ratings for PTSD, cervicogenic headaches, and a cervical spine disability. The earlier effective date claims have also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc disease, chronic thoracic strain and scoliosis, was granted a rating of 20 percent for the period prior to May 22, 2019. A separate rating of 20 percent was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's residuals of foreign body in the left foot were also granted a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations, which need to be supplemented with additional information.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran’s claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to assertions of worsening symptoms, including flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sciatic nerve disorder and increased rating claim for right knee strain were denied. The Board found no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation, and the medical evidence did not support a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorders, low back disorder, and right lower extremity disorder due to new evidence being submitted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since February 15, 2011. The Board has determined that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and for TDIU. The right knee claim is pending, while the TDIU claim was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), back disability (secondary to bilateral knee disabilities), bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy (secondary to back disability), and depression (secondary to service-connected disabilities). The remand is due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.