Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine stenosis, sleep apnea, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral lower extremity numbness), acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches, all secondary to his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extra-schedular basis, effective December 2, 2013. The decision is based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is being remanded for further examination and rating. Other service connection claims are also being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for intervertebral disc degeneration at C5, C6, and C7 and left cervical radiculopathy at C7 level as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings of 60% and 40%, respectively. The case has been remanded for further development regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for radiculopathy and nerve paralysis of the arms. The Veteran contends that his symptoms are due to inoculations or viral infections in service, but a VA examiner will need to review the medical records from his 1974 hospitalization.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with disc herniation and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, both found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded as there are insufficient medical opinions addressing whether it is secondary to obesity resulting from a service-connected disability.

The Veteran is currently employed and has not been found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including post-polio syndrome and its secondary effects, due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his sciatic nerve conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 8, 2019 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date onward.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and RLE radiculopathy are granted with specific ratings, effective from December 11, 2014 for the latter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations, lack of notification regarding upcoming VA examinations, and unclear employment history. The issues include right lower extremity radiculopathy, surgical scars of the low back, PTSD, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and TDIU prior to April 24, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the submission of new medical evidence since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The issues include service connection for various foot, ankle, back, wrist, skin, and shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to September 7, 2010 on an extraschedular basis for further action by the Director, Compensation Service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including referral to VA’s Director of Compensation and Pension service for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Board found that the current severity of the disabilities does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the appellant's claims for effective dates earlier than April 18, 2016, for service connection of lumbar strain, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.,The Board also dismissed the appellant's claims for initial increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic pain syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and right ankle disorder. Service connection was granted for left upper extremity radiculopathy with an effective date of February 20, 2010. The Veteran's blood disorder claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities, left knee condition, and headaches due to inadequate attempts to schedule VA examinations.