Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board has determined that he is entitled to special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development. The issues include lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder disabilities, peripheral neuropathy, alcohol use disorder, GERD, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is being remanded due to an internally inconsistent VA examination report. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining a new examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities and headache disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating, and his application is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current level of disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board found that the Veteran had continuous back pain since service and supported this by private medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted. The effective date is set at June 3, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to new evidence indicating that his lumbar spine disability may be worse than previously assessed. A VA examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right and left big toe joint disabilities, head injury residuals, osteoarthritis of the right hip with limited extension, internal hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy of the right toes, and bilateral hearing loss, have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since January 1, 2016. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for low back pain, sciatica, and chronic cystitis due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The claim for a sleeping disorder (insomnia) is also remanded as it may be related to the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an upper spine condition and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities due to inadequate examination following a prior remand.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The case is being remanded due to the addition of relevant evidence and outstanding VA records that need to be reviewed. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS of the lumbar spine was granted, and he received a 40% rating effective from October 9, 2018. The claims for left hip flexion limitation, sciatic and femoral nerve peripheral neuropathies, obturator, external cutaneous, and ilio-inguinal nerve peripheral neuropathies were also granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found the neck disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy/neuropathy issues were remanded for further examination and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if a higher rating is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including spondylosis and spinal stenosis with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The TDIU issue has also been remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar disc disease and radiculopathy to the left leg due to his withdrawal during a hearing. The issue of service connection for a urethral stricture (claimed as a urology condition) is remanded.

The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is dismissed without prejudice.,The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for the period prior to April 4, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent disabling for the period thereafter, for service-connected residuals of low back injury with compression fracture of T11 and mild degenerative changes; entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) for the period prior to June 1, 2011 are remanded.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, sinusitis, GERD, and bilateral athlete's foot are remanded.,,,,,