Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability, kidney disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate development of his lumbar spine disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and femoral nerves. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at 20 percent each, effective from October 3, 2016. The Veteran also received a separate rating for bladder dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and was granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and workplace limitations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities was denied. The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease L4-5 from June 14, 2006 through December 1, 2019.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for the Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerves or femoral nerves.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy affecting the sciatic nerve were denied, with a remand ordered.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic scar was also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's disabilities were not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event or illness.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are more likely related to age-related changes rather than service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lower back disability, hemorrhoids, and skin cancer due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability beyond that of cervical strain, including arthritis. The decision finds the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate secondary service connection opinion, and a new VA addendum medical opinion is needed.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left lower extremity sciatica, as well as his upper extremity radicular nerve conditions were denied prior to May 27, 2019. The Veteran's current ratings for these conditions are also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, prior to March 12, 2010, and 40 percent thereafter, for service-connected right upper extremity radiculopathy because no appeal was filed within the required time frame.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of diabetes mellitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation since August 11, 2008.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current disability of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded for further development regarding his left knee disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right hip, right knee, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy disabilities due to issues with the examinations provided by VA. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction are neurologic abnormalities associated with his service-connected lumbar spine IVDS prior to specific dates.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 30 percent rating for the entire period prior to January 15, 2020. A higher rating of in excess of 70 percent for PTSD from January 15, 2020 is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disability, an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability prior to September 18, 2019, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher.