Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), but denied any request for higher ratings. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for right inguinal hernia strain, residuals of TBI, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and service connection for bilateral hip disability have been dismissed due to inadequate substantive appeals.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for thoracolumbar strain has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, low back disorder, neck disorder, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's right leg numbness has been granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective from February 19, 2020. The left leg numbness remains at the 10 percent level.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding neurological effects of the service-connected lumbar spine disorder and an attempt to obtain private treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). The evidence did not support a finding of current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain gainful employment, leading to a TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine strain with IVDS, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have all been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent.,The effective date for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied because there was no indication that the Veteran intended to apply for benefits until December 3, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 20 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is rated at 40 percent prior to November 5, 2019, and a higher rating is denied from that date forward.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is rated at 30 percent effective November 5, 2019, and a higher rating is denied.

All increased rating and earlier effective date claims have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy, left femoral nerve were denied. The case is remanded to issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar microdiskectomy and spinal fusion from April 13, 2011. The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as it was granted in an April 2020 RO rating decision. The issues of higher initial disability ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy and peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination. A new examination is required to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected right lumbar muscle strain was reopened and granted. His left patella fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Veteran contends that this rating should be increased due to worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right leg sciatic neuropathy is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected fractured metatarsal heads.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination and requires additional information regarding the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to his service-connected chronic lumbar strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of sciatica, and thus requires a VA opinion to resolve this discrepancy.