Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected peripheral neuropathy has been granted increased ratings for his right and left upper extremity conditions, with the majority of the ratings being at the 30 percent level.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper, right lower, and left lower extremities with effective dates of December 10, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, while the ratings for residuals of a right ankle fracture and MDD were also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic lumbosacral strain was denied, but he received a separate compensable rating (10%) for sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity since October 2, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type 2, left lower extremity (LLE) peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity (RLE) peripheral neuropathy of the sciatic nerve due to inadequate development regarding presumptive exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is granted a 30 percent evaluation, but no higher. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for lumbar fusion L4-L5 and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have been denied.,For the lumbar spine, the criteria for a higher rating are not met as the flexion is greater than 30 degrees but not more than 60 degrees.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bulging disc, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and hypertension due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The Veteran's claim is now remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies are all granted. The evidence shows the Veteran's current disabilities are proximately due to his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as there is no evidence of these conditions during or after the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active service. Service connection was denied for enlarged prostate with benign prostatic hypertrophy due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, and anemia.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to the Veteran’s reduced sex drive. The claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's painful scar on the right wrist warrants a 10 percent disability rating due to its pain but not instability or limitation of function.,The linear scar on the right wrist does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating as it does not exceed 6 square inches in area and is not unstable or painful.,Anemia has been rated at 10 percent since November 2018, with no evidence of improvement to warrant a higher rating.,Fibromyalgia was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Costochondritis has been rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.

The Veteran's low back disability and left/right lower extremity radiculopathy were rated, with the right lower extremity radiculopathy receiving a higher rating effective October 24, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination to determine if the Veteran's back condition is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability and cervical radiculopathy due to incomplete consideration of a relevant medical history.