Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a rating of 40 percent effective February 9, 2020. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with lower extremity radiculopathy, left ear hearing loss, and a psychiatric disorder due to outstanding treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal for service connection for sciatica is dismissed as the benefits have already been granted. The appeal for GERD is remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for left shoulder bursitis and lumbosacral strain, as well as higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The remand is due to inadequate examinations conducted previously.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for OSA, depression, lumbar spine DJD, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (RLE), and condyloma acuminatum due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded as part of this process.

The appeals seeking increased ratings for depression, right ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, and reopening claims for diabetes mellitus, gout, and left ankle condition have been dismissed.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back condition, bilateral flat feet, and right and left lower leg/foot conditions.

The Board denied a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to September 7, 2007 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities not rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a schedular TDIU from January 29, 2018. The issue of an extraschedular TDIU prior to that date is referred for consideration.

The Veteran's low back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy, is determined to be caused by his service-connected left knee disability. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity sciatic peripheral neuropathy due to service-connected right foot and right sural nerve disabilities. The Veteran's obesity is also being evaluated as it may have been caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's major depression. The decision also noted that there was no evidence of radiculopathy in either leg.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted with increased initial ratings. Service connection for PTSD is also granted.

Your appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Board has already issued a decision on these issues in August 2020.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and GERD have been granted initial ratings. The effective date for these grants is June 2, 2016.

The Board has granted a temporary total disability rating for convalescence following back surgeries from April 17, 2014 to July 3, 2014. The issues of whether reductions in the ratings for left shoulder disability and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were proper are remanded due to new relevant VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate notice of VA examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as his service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional opinions regarding his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.