Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran is also asked to provide additional information about his employment status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability was reopened and granted. The claims for toxic optic neuropathy, right hip osteonecrosis, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities, and service connection for a left knee disability are all granted.,The Veteran's toxic optic neuropathy is secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. His right hip osteonecrosis is also secondary to his service-connected pain disorder and depression with history of self-medicating with alcohol. The bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, muscle spasms of the neck, back, arms, fingers, legs and toes, seizure disorder, migraine headaches, right thigh disability, bone disorder, brain tumor, neurological disabilities of the upper extremities are all secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient clarification on whether the Veteran's sciatic nerve disability is aggravated by his service-connected cervical spinal stenosis and whether it is secondary to his service-connected ALS. The examiner must provide a complete rationale for all proffered opinions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The effective date for service connection of radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities was set to March 16, 2020. The Veteran's increased ratings for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and right knee disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.,The Veteran's tinea pedis was also denied an initial compensable rating as the condition did not meet the criteria for a noncompensable rating under the General Rating Formula for the Skin.

The Veteran's low back disability, right and left sciatic radiculopathies, and urinary retention issues have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with August 2021 Remand directives, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment from July 29, 2014 to March 5, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a nexus to active service.

Service connection is granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical radiculopathy.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy is not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis, radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity, and radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.,The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with stenosis is currently rated at 10 percent prior to February 7, 2017, and at 20 percent after that date. The remand will allow for a more accurate assessment of his current disability level.

The claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's low back disorder and left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an examination with a qualified clinician.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, cervical spine disability, left upper and right upper extremity radiculopathies, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, left hand disability, and left hip disability. The Board found that the Veteran's current heart condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right lower extremity, all related to an in-service helicopter crash. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible testimony and a private physician's opinion.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection of left knee strain, broken left and right orbital bones, and left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection of high blood pressure is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 21, 2009 is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a new medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's lower back disorder is secondary to his service-connected left rhomboid muscle strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease and stenosis of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine condition and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's PTSD showed sustained improvement and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The reduction of his PTSD rating from 70% to 50% was proper.