Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal regarding an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for low back strain has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings of his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and neuropathy are being remanded due to the complexity of the medical issues.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's joint pain and related disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration due to conflicting medical reports and a need for clarification regarding ankylosis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from September 25, 2005 to October 29, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has not addressed the issues of service connection for psychiatric disorders, as a VA examination is needed to determine if PTSD or another diagnosed condition is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The low back disability and associated radiculopathy are remanded for further examination to determine their severity.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20% since June 21, 2007. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve has been granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's reinstatement of VR&E benefits due to his failure to progress in his rehabilitation program and lack of an employment handicap, despite having service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's 40 percent rating for macular degeneration is restored, and he is eligible for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted a 50% rating effective May 13, 2019. The other conditions and disabilities were not found to warrant compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from October 13, 2011 to November 14, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show more than mild incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from November 15, 2016 was also denied as the evidence did not show more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional medical opinions to address whether the Veteran's lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities were incurred in service, including from motor vehicle accidents and lifting injuries. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain, along with associated left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, are granted service connection.,The Veteran's left and right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with his lumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain are also granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, other than residuals of meningitis to include organic brain disease is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are rated at a combined 80 percent and 90 percent from October 17, 2017. The Board has granted a TDIU rating for this period. However, the claims for increase in right ankle disability and SMC for loss of use of the right foot remain pending as they were not fully adjudicated.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left leg radiculopathy is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board also finds no basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU prior to November 4, 2019 have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew all pending claims.

The Veteran's left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy have been granted a 40% disability rating, effective February 17, 2021.,Prior to February 17, 2021, the Veteran's service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic neuropathy were each rated at 10%. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected radiculopathy of bilateral sciatic nerves, femoral nerve involvement, obturator nerve, external cutaneous nerve, ilio-inguinal nerve, common peroneal nerve, superficial peroneal nerve, anterior tibial nerve, interior and posterior tibial nerves, and internal saphenous nerve have been rated based on the severity of their incomplete paralysis. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied.