Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA examination, and further development is required before deciding the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was granted a temporary 10 percent rating from September 9, 2010 to May 31, 2017. From May 31, 2017 onwards, all other sciatic nerve radiculopathies and femoral nerve radiculopathies are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a spine disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his TDIU claim due to an incomplete medical examination. The issues will be reconsidered after further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease, thoracic strain with radiculopathy, bilateral 7th and 8th thoracic nerve roots (claimed as disc bulging at T7/-T8/T9-T9).

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition, as well as the claims for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity. The Veteran's death was caused by his neurological condition, which is presumed to have been related to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.,The Board has also granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including examinations and consideration of new evidence. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include L4-L5 space narrowing degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, traumatic arthritis of the right shoulder, left knee disability, and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for DM and pancreatitis. The petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a back condition was granted, as were those for peripheral neuropathy of the RLE and LLE.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected DJD in the lumbar spine from July 7, 2008 is denied. The TDIU issue is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including disc disease, disc herniation, radiculopathy and spondylosis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service due to in-service onset of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and sciatica of the left lower extremity, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service parachute jump injury. The decision also notes that the Veteran's current symptoms align with his history of back pain following a parachuting accident.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, left leg disability, right leg disability, arthritis, tendonitis, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for right and left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy is denied. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for the external popliteal nerves of both legs.,A TDIU claim is remanded as part of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a lumbar spine condition have been reopened, and the appeals are granted.,Service connection has been granted for MDD (including bipolar disorder) and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issue of service connection for PTSD due to MST is remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right leg sciatica, left leg sciatica, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are granted service connection due to aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Veteran's insomnia is remanded for further development.