Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine and left lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing medical records and requests for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle or right heel disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted with a rating of 40 percent effective February 16, 2012. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected mechanical lumbar strain is being remanded to determine if the additional diagnoses of disc disease, sacroiliitis, left hip trochanteric bursitis, and bilateral radiculopathy are related to her service-connected condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of the claimed conditions to service. The Veteran's low back, knee, hemorrhoid, GERD, and urinary tract disabilities are all being reviewed further.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence. The issues include increased ratings for lumbosacral spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and service connection for a right shoulder disability, joint pain, and neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded by the Board. The AOJ is directed to consider new evidence submitted since the August 2016 denial of his right knee disorder claim.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to inconsistencies between the Veteran's reported symptoms and those reflected in his treatment records and VA examination reports. The claims for higher initial disability ratings for right foot hallux valgus with arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, leading to a denial of higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and radiculopathy. However, the Veteran was granted TDIU due to multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered remand for further development regarding the propriety of severance of service connection for DDD of the lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The issues are inextricably intertwined due to the interrelated nature of the disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, finding no current disability or diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his claimed PTSD diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings of right knee laxity and chondromalacia patella was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,A 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted, effective from December 6, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and neuropathy of the left leg, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to December 18, 2009 and remains so. The Board found the symptoms were moderate in severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right lumbar radiculopathy and service connection for right hip bursitis were denied. The claim for service connection of headaches was remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular rating requirements for a TDIU, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and failure to provide VA examinations. The Veteran's service connection claim for major depressive disorder, as well as her rating claims for headaches, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and DDD of back are all being remanded.