Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues related to his service-connected herniated disc, lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his increased rating of 40 percent for service-connected herniated disc, lumbar spine is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings related to his degenerative disc disease, cervical spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy, middle radicular group, left upper extremity is being remanded as it requires additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity is also being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's back and left lower extremity flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn, and the cases are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS, and thus, the Veteran's service-connected back condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. Similarly, his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies were rated as moderate based on the provided evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy now meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, his employment history during the appeal period is unclear due to conflicting information provided by the Veteran. The Board has ordered additional development to clarify his employment status.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date earlier than December 12, 2017, for awards of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, lumbar spine disability (degenerative arthritis), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left thigh varicosities, right thigh varicosities, and tinnitus, are sufficiently severe to render him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. As such, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension with cardiomyopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all granted. The Veteran is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate due to his multiple service-connected disabilities. Service connection for a right eye cataract remains pending.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities have been granted effective from November 27, 2017.,Effective from November 6, 2019, the Veteran's service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The claims are related to skin disorders, lumbar spine disorders, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of various upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected back disability prior to January 15, 2010.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted for the period from December 30, 2005 to June 2, 2008.

The Board has vacated its decision and dismissed the appeals for TDIU prior to January 15, 2010 and DEA benefits prior to June 2, 2008 due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatica), and an increased rating for thoracic spine vertebral compression fractures. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied.,Service connection could not be established as the evidence did not show a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 18, 2009 for the right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities required care and assistance on a regular basis to dress herself, prepare meals, keep herself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect her from the hazards or dangers inherent in her daily environment. As such, she is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for RLE and LLE radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's service connection claim for GERD is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.