Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbar DJD is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DJD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent from February 19, 2018, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's low back strain and associated radiculopathy were granted a disability rating of 40 percent from January 6, 2015 to February 5, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in denying a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy. An updated VA examination is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran’s service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's back condition and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted a rating of 20 percent effective March 31, 2010. The decision is based on the severity of his symptoms as described in medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU effective October 19, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbosacral sprain with degenerative changes, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is also required to provide updated treatment records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient analysis regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relationship to service. The decision is not about service connection, but rather a need for further clarification on the nature of his condition.

The Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran received a higher initial rating of 20 percent for LLER effective May 15, 2019. A TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lower extremity weakness and radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's disability is related to a parachute jump during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied. The appeal regarding the earlier effective date of April 12, 2017 for a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal of attorney fees as a result of past-due benefits awarded in May 2019, which granted increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's ratings for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy were reduced from 20% to 10%, effective January 1, 2020. The appeal is denied as the reduction was proper.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the previous VA examination did not consider the collective impact of all his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 22, 2018 for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities were denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating higher than 20 percent for his Scheuermann’s disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative joint disease was remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, but the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for migraine headaches and for service connection for status post left foot fracture fifth metatarsal with metatarsalgia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected.,Her left lower extremity sciatic nerve involvement, also claimed as sciatica and tailbone pain, had its disability evaluation reduced from 20 percent to noncompensable effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have not met the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria, with the exception of a remanded issue regarding neurological impairment.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The right leg shrapnel wound, back disability, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are all rated under the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and headache disability, to include as secondary to a cervical spine disability with radiculopathy, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.