Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sciatica is related to service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings prior to February 25, 2011 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for radiculopathy of the right foot and left foot have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 23, 2009 and since April 1, 2010 for residuals of low back injury, entitlement to TDIU, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability secondary to low back injury, and service connection for cervical spine disability secondary to low back injury have been remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder internal derangement with degenerative arthritis was granted a 30% rating effective July 24, 2017. The earlier effective date for the right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy claims is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 21, 2013. The Board finds that TDIU is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to August 31, 2021.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease, a disability manifested by right thigh numbness (right leg sciatica), and hypertension. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing direct causation or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, effective January 2, 2018. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent remains denied.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disability was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.,The Veteran's chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine with degenerative arthritis and deformity of coccyx is rated at 20 percent, effective January 24, 2017 to December 10, 2019. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent from December 11, 2019 onwards. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent remains denied.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with chronic strain of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine was not granted a separate rating as the evidence did not support such a finding.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease cervical spine, degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine, sciatica (right and left lower extremities), and herniated cervical disc have all been granted. The conditions are found to be related to service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals regarding increased rating for Meniere's syndrome with tinnitus, service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and special monthly compensation are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations related to his service-connected radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and associated sciatic nerve radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his claims. The issues include seeking increased evaluations for service-connected left knee, left ankle, right shoulder, and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as seeking service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as her range of motion does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,Both upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of more severe impairment in either arm.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for his service-connected back disorder is remanded as the examinations are inadequate and further examination is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU effective November 2, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being associated with the claims file. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining these records.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of the right and left sciatic nerves, as well as the right and left anterior crural (femoral) nerves, are granted with initial evaluations in excess of those currently assigned. The appeal is denied for increased evaluations for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and left knee chondromalacia.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back condition, RLE radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric condition, and IBS due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms are not considered in the current medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, including for increased ratings and entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The low back disability claim is related to an in-service injury, but the radiculopathy may be aggravated by the back disability.

The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection, but the RO did not award separate ratings for these conditions in April 1999. The effective date of service connection is set at August 21, 2018.