Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The appeal is dismissed for the remaining issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the appellant's character of discharge, service connection claims, and mental health status. The VA will seek additional records and conduct examinations to determine these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of current right ear hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating for left ear hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for status post lumbar spine surgery and right and left lumbar radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected status post lumbar spine surgery, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and tinnitus are granted. The claim for service connection for left knee disorder, frostbite of bilateral lower extremities, including a right toe is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological condition affecting his left hand and wrist, including cervical radiculopathy, is at least as likely as not related to a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in March 2011. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's back disability and radiculopathy on his ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for updated medical opinions. The issues include seeking higher ratings for various service-connected conditions, obtaining earlier effective dates for certain awards of service connection, and determining whether a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU due to new evidence not having been considered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran requires assistance with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, and preparing meals.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it only manifests as moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of causation, as the Veteran's current cervical stenosis and radiculopathy were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's combined disability rating prior to October 27, 2016 was 80 percent. The Board found that the schedular requirements for a TDIU were met due to his service-connected conditions, but he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical opinions and other issues. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, spine disabilities, and bilateral leg numbness are all being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the rating for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, the rating for lumbar DDD, and service connection for a respiratory disability other than allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will need additional examinations and evidence to determine these matters.

Your service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and lumbar spine radiculopathy with bilateral sciatic nerve involvement have been granted. The appeal is dismissed as these issues are no longer in dispute.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The right knee MCL laxity is denied.,TDIU benefits for service-connected disabilities are granted from October 7, 2012.