Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed as there is no remaining case or controversy.

The Veteran's claim for left upper radiculopathy affecting C7, claimed as neuralgia pains, secondary to a service-connected disability (central disc protrusion C3-4 with spur formation), is dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for a left shoulder disability, secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including IVDS and associated radiculopathies of the right and left lower extremities, are granted with effective dates. The Veteran is awarded a 20% rating for her lumbar spine disability prior to August 7, 2017, and an increased rating beyond that date.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, instability, left knee meniscal tear, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis have been rated based on their severity. The Veteran has received separate ratings for his knee conditions and the thoracolumbar spine condition.,The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis effective February 8, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tinnitus and his service, as well as secondary service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from December 12, 2016 to February 20, 2018 is granted. The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to January 15, 2018 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, finding that his symptoms began in service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a current diagnosis of sciatica. The Board will request an addendum opinion from the VA contract examiner who previously evaluated the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and related nerve disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with effective dates of August 29, 2019. The case is also remanded for further consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability and radiculopathy have prevented him from securing and maintaining employment since at least 1985, leading to a TDIU effective August 8, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,The VA examinations found no in-service injury or diagnosis related to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and erythrasma have been granted effective April 26, 2018. However, the Veteran is not entitled to earlier effective dates for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims for secondary service connection for migraine headaches, left lower extremity sciatica, and a compensable evaluation for a left knee surgical scar are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar DDD and DJD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all granted as service-connected.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of cervical spine condition, dental condition, radiculopathy of right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of left upper extremity due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and service, including documented in-service football injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral disc with posterior and lateral protrusion, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and surgical removal of osteochondroma left wrist with residual cubital tunnel syndrome, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As a result, the Veteran's claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his service-connected low back disability and lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica as secondary to a left knee disability. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression).,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.