Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

Service connection is granted for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which are service-connected under direct criteria.,The Veteran's cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of head injury, migraines, seizure disorder, lumbar spine disability, disabilities of the bilateral upper extremities, to include shoulder, arm, and radiculopathy, as well as left ear hearing loss, remain in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right forearm gunshot wound. The issues of lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbar radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined with the right forearm gunshot wound issue.

The Veteran's back condition and sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of right upper extremity radiculopathy or other disabilities related to the issues raised.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that any service-connected disability required regular assistance from another person.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the severity of his migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU claim. The issues include increased ratings for migraines and lumbar pathology with right leg radiculopathy, as well as a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding private treatment records and a VA examination. The issues are related to spinal stenosis and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10% prior to December 13, 2019 and increased to 20% effective that date. The current rating of 20% for the lumbar spine disability from December 17, 2021 onward is denied.,The Veteran's sciatica of the lower right extremity was rated at 20% effective December 17, 2021 and his sciatica of the lower left extremity was also rated at 20% effective that date. Both ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was not granted for a residual scar of the left side of face, and his lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2020, and 40 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, depressive disorder associated with bilateral pes planus, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and a scar of the left foot associated with pes planus, have rendered him unemployable. The Board granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted with a 20% rating. The ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted, but only up to 20%. Additional issues related to femoral nerve involvement have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and he is also found to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted the TDIU claim and remanded for a VA examination regarding SMC.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, is granted as service-connected.,Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity are both found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability.,Erectile dysfunction is also found to be secondary to his service-connected low back disability.,Special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ (erectile dysfunction) is granted.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the low back disability has also been granted.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20 percent evaluation, but no higher.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic peripheral sensory neuropathy of the lower and upper extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disability and a back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including spinal fusion, dysthymic disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 40 percent prior to October 7, 2020, and at 60 percent thereafter. The facial scar is rated at 10 percent. TDIU is granted effective December 15, 2015.