Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2015. The RO has now restored the original ratings of 20 percent for these conditions.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was also rated at 10 percent effective December 7, 2021.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities; degenerative joint disease, left knee; and plantar calcaneal bone spur, left foot are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims on appeal can be adjudicated, as there are inconsistencies and gaps in the record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy and/or brachial neuritis of the right upper extremity, to include as due to service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical spine is remanded.

The Veteran's MDD was granted a rating of 70 percent from March 20, 2017 to October 1, 2019. The low back disability received a grant of increased rating to 70 percent.

A rating of 40 percent for a back disability is granted effective April 8, 2019.,Entitlement to ratings in excess of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy is denied.,TDIU is granted effective April 8, 2019. The issue of TDIU prior to this date remains remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as hip condition), and a back disability as secondary to her service-connected shin splints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since April 29, 2015. The Board has granted TDIU for the periods from April 29, 2015 to June 9, 2016 and from August 1, 2018 to May 20, 2021.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,The Veteran's right foot skin disorder and left foot skin disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is dismissed as the issue has been fully resolved by an earlier grant of service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded due to lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine condition and lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities. The Board has determined that the Veteran is eligible for specially adapted housing due to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected lumbosacral strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right lower extremity sciatica.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee injury and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case requires further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy require additional development due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to incomplete evidence and requests that additional development be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been granted. The appeal as to her TDIU issue was withdrawn by her representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings.

Service connection for a left knee condition is granted.,Service connection for a lumbar spine condition, as secondary to the left knee condition, is granted.,Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to the lumbar spine condition, is granted.,A rating of 30 percent disabling, but no greater, for a left shoulder disability beginning January 10, 2020 is granted.

Prior to March 9, 2021, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,From March 9, 2021, the Veteran's TDIU was granted due to his depression with anxious distress and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's disability ratings for radiculopathy of the left femoral nerve, right femoral nerve, and right upper extremity were restored to 20 percent effective July 1, 2020.