Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective March 7, 2011.,An initial rating of 10 percent was granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective June 10, 2005.,An initial rating of 10 percent was granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, also effective June 10, 2005.,The Board granted a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) effective August 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy were denied increased ratings, except for a 10 percent rating granted from May 18, 2020 for obturator nerve radiculopathy in both lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a new opinion regarding service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to April 1, 2015. The remand is due to issues with the previous opinions provided.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility of increased severity since his last VA examination in October 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a cracked pelvis and related conditions such as back disability, left leg disorder, lymphedema, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding no evidence of such conditions in service or within one year following discharge. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to link current disabilities with service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless or bedridden as to require regular aid and attendance, thus SMC based on the need for aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and the Board remanded this issue. The right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy rating remains under review.,The Veteran’s adaptive equipment or automobile assistance claim is pending as new evidence was submitted since the last decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's back disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are currently under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and temporary total rating due to surgery, as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity sciatica have been rated at 40 percent, but the Board found no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his back and left lower extremity disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing the issues of attorney fees and increased disability rating.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to July 25, 2017 and at 20 percent on and after that date.,The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for either period.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related nerve impairments are rated based on their severity, with the highest rating of 40% granted for the period prior to August 12, 2015. Ratings in excess of these were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy/radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to his service-connected back disability due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine disability, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disability, respiratory disability, hepatitis C, anxiety disorder, lumbar strain, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, accessory navicular bone stress fractures of both feet, hypertension, and TDIU. The Board also noted that the Veteran's address has changed and requested appropriate action to reschedule him for VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant paid for his burial expenses and filed a timely claim. The Board found that the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits were met.