Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU due to incomplete records and unclear employment history.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with right lower extremity radiculopathy, and depression as secondary to these conditions. The decision is based on evidence showing a link between the Veteran's in-service injuries and current disabilities.

The Veteran's left upper extremity, left lower extremity, and right upper extremity shell fragment wound residuals have been granted increased ratings. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left leg and left eye disabilities, specifically failing to address whether these conditions are related to service-connected low back disorder or active duty service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, neurogenic bladder condition, and sciatic nerve conditions are all rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The right ankle and right knee disabilities have also been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. His claim for a higher rating for his bilateral foot disability prior to October 27, 2016 has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, right knee, and right hip disabilities, as well as radiculopathies of the right and left lower extremities. The remand is due to concerns about the adequacy of a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since October 17, 2019. The initial rating of 10 percent for right wrist navicular bone fracture with DJD remains in effect from August 17, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of tinnitus is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, asthma, and lumbago with a central disc bulge at L5-S1 and degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus, type II is remanded as there is no medical opinion addressing the potential causation or aggravation between his service and DMII.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Lyme disease and its related conditions due to newly added VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action on service connection claims, including a claim for cause of death. No other issues have been resolved.

The Veteran's left calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 20% and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,For the period prior to January 17, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease was rated at 10%, but the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating. For the period from January 17, 2018, the Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease is rated at 20% and the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10%, but the Board found no basis to grant a higher rating. The Veteran's GERD disability is now rated at 30%.,Service connection for tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to GERD were both granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not result in the need for aid and attendance prior to April 15, 2016. The Board denied an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disability and related radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for various conditions, including DM II, peripheral neuropathies, and COPD. The claim for service connection for COPD was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the appellant.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% respectively, with the highest rating of 40% granted effective September 23, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations, worsening symptoms since previous evaluations, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbar radiculopathy, and left ankle arthritis due to in-service parachute jumps as a paratrooper.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable rating schedule.