Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including kidney disorder, heart disorders, peripheral vascular diseases of various extremities, hypertension, and back disability, were not found to be service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and clarification are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's back disability, including radiculopathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve, left lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) nerve, and right lower extremity anterior crural (femoral) nerves. The rating for the back disability is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for right sciatica/radiculopathy and left sciatica/radiculopathy is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection and increased ratings for his gastrointestinal issues, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and lower left extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran has permanent loss of use of the right foot due to service-connected disability, and eligibility for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and urinary incontinence. The main reasons for remand include needing additional medical evidence, considering an extraschedular evaluation for the lumbar spine condition, and obtaining a separate rating for urinary incontinence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss, have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of a higher rating for thoracolumbar strain and for service connection for a left hip disability and a right hip disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to schedule VA examinations. The issues include back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities since July 1, 2008. The decision is effective from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for initial increased ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. The appeal seeking service connection for a right knee condition, a right ankle condition, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for lumbosacral strain has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Board denied service connection for low back condition, left knee condition, right foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's military service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's diabetic retinopathy has been rated based on visual acuity and field loss, resulting in a combined rating of 50 percent since February 17, 2017.,Diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion addressing hospitalizations for diabetic ketoacidosis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left ankle disorders, lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, knee disorders, and headache disorder (migraines) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any relevant VA or private treatment.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy with tremors and muscle rigidity and stiffness, finding that it meets the criteria for severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including MDD and arthritis of the lumbar spine, have rendered him unable to maintain full-time employment since June 2015. Since September 2019, his other service-connected conditions have also prevented him from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve diabetic peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 40 percent each, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.