Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction on a secondary basis due to multiple service-connected disabilities, including Crohn's disease and hypertension.

The Veteran's spine condition is granted as service connection, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the claim reopened due to new and material evidence. The Veteran’s representative provided additional information regarding his stressors.

The Veteran's service-connected compression fractures to T12 and L2 are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar degenerative disc disease and service connection for a neurological disorder of the lower extremities. The Veteran is also seeking an individual unemployability rating prior to August 17, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on this.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records and a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions. The Board also finds that remand is warranted for bilateral hearing loss and lumbar spine disability/radiculopathy cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for increased ratings of his service-connected back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, leading to the dismissal of these appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, and left shoulder impingement syndrome with rotator cuff tendonitis and degenerative joint disease due to inadequate examinations in determining their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability, back disability, and right and left upper extremity disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary due to outstanding SSA records and a need for more recent VA examinations. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has granted a compensable evaluation of 10 percent for the Veteran's hiatal hernia, but remanded the issues regarding tinea versicolor and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence.

The Board's decision is revised to deny the claim of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate, effective July 12, 2013.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted a 20 percent rating, effective August 23, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted. The remaining issues on appeal, including service connection and rating claims, were dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's low back disability and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased ratings, but only for periods after specific dates. The original rating remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to failure of the Veteran to appear at scheduled VA examinations. The examinations will be rescheduled, and additional records from private sources may need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and sinusitis have been denied. The initial increased ratings of 20 percent for the back disability, 10 percent for the right lower extremity radiculopathy, and 30 percent for sinusitis are effective September 28, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and obtaining SSA disability records. The focus of the appeal is on whether his service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records, as well as further development based on those records.