Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, but his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating. The Board has remanded these issues due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left ankle disability, back disability, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The rating assigned is 60 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities and lack of a nexus between his claimed conditions and military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her right shoulder injury, left leg sciatic nerve condition, migraines, and pelvic pain. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations by VA clinicians who will provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine with DJD and radiation pain is rated at 40 percent. Separate ratings of 10 percent are granted for left and right sciatic radicular disabilities.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is characterized as 'moderately severe' incomplete paralysis, warranting a 40% rating. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability was denied. The increased rating claims for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease were also denied, but the Veteran was granted TDIU status.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy, Parkinson's disease, sleep disorder, sinus disability, nocturia, altered gait, right ear growth, left knee strain, gynecomastia, inguinal hernia, priapism, bilateral pulmonary embolism, parotid neoplasms, and hepatitis C have been denied. The Board found no evidence of service connection or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated right lower extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding private treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The effective date of this decision is not specified.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding service connection and a new examination to assess the severity of the veteran's bruxism.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for Morton's neuroma of the right foot has been denied as the current rating adequately reflects his disability.,A compensable rating is granted for the painful scar on the right hand, with no greater than 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and VA's Director of Compensation Service found that he is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected back and leg conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 22, 2011.

The Veteran's migraines/tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 10, 2013. The Board also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of tinnitus and credible reports of its onset during service, resolving all doubts in his favor. Service connection for neck disorder, radiculopathy of upper extremities, right shoulder disorder, and left ankle disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's disability rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve was restored to 40 percent effective February 1, 2020.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back condition, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica due to potential errors in the decision-making process and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's statements regarding his symptoms are credible, but further evidence is needed to establish whether his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral arthritic foot condition, lumbar spine condition, hypertension, and bilateral sciatica as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.