Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

A rating of 20 percent for low back disability is granted from September 18, 2012.,Ratings of 20 percent are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy from February 14, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine conditions and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity have all been denied.,The Board found no current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and migraine headaches. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, migraines, and frequent urination. The Board also ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or more than 15 degrees of forward flexion. The Veteran's radiculopathy and osteoarthritis are also rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at its maximum level.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to the death of the appellant during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to re-enter the workforce and work in any substantially gainful capacity, considering his level of education, prior work experience, and training.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all remaining issues contained in the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability (previously characterized as sciatica) has been reopened, and the case is being remanded to further develop evidence related to his Army Reserve and National Guard service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and will attempt to obtain NROTC service or participation records. The appellant seeks service-connected disability compensation related to injuries sustained during military indoctrination training.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for varicocele, hypogonadism, and sperm disorders as secondary to medications for service-connected lumbar spine IVDS.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn or dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran's PTSD, urinary incontinence, and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine meet the criteria for increased ratings but requires further development before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2016. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to that date. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU from December 18, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 18, 2018 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar strain prior to August 5, 2020 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was denied.,The Veteran's claim for entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also denied due to the lack of a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to weight gain caused by his service-connected psychiatric and musculoskeletal disabilities. The other issues remain denied.