Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, ankle, spine, and shoulder conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran's depression has been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The lumbar disability was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board vacated its March 19, 2019 decision that remanded the claim for an earlier effective date and granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The original effective date of March 19, 2013 was already in place.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's original claim for bilateral ear condition was denied in January 1980. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability is remanded.,The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis at L5-S1, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neck disability, including cervical spondylosis and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar lordosis, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a VA examination by a neurosurgeon.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the VRC evaluation and need for a new assessment of his employment feasibility given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his ability to work given his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits to pursue a medical career is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision and need for further evaluation by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II was granted. The increased rating claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and back conditions due to inadequate examination findings, failure to consider all relevant medical history, and lack of VA treatment records postdating February 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU were denied. The rating for migraine headaches was maintained at 10 percent prior to October 16, 2019, and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The Board found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to September 15, 2010 for lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied.,PTSD with alcohol abuse has been granted with a 70% rating.

The Veteran's RLE PVD is rated at 40 percent prior to May 16, 2019 and at 60 percent since then. The Veteran’s RLE peripheral neuropathy (external popliteal nerve) is rated at 20 percent, while his LLE peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent.,The criteria for a higher rating are not met for any of the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition, right leg condition, and sciatica due to insufficient medical opinions addressing continuity of symptomatology and the relationship between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and allergic rhinitis were aggravated by service, while her sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities was found to be etiologically related to a pre-existing condition (degenerative disc disease), and her bilateral chondromalacia patella did not undergo aggravation during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding pertinent records and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC based on need for aid and attendance due to incomplete compliance with previous directives. The Veteran needs updated VA treatment records, an orthopedic examination, and a neurological examination.