Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for back disabilities is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy of the sciatic nerve is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis, thoracic and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's sciatic and femoral nerve radiculopathy have been rated at 20 percent for each lower extremity since October 9, 2008. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,SMP based on need for aid and attendance prior to June 24, 2016 was denied as the Veteran's combined disability rating exceeded the pension rate at that time.

The Veteran's right sciatic nerve disability is remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the low back disability claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions and further development is required. The issues include cysts on both kidneys, left hip condition (including radiculopathy), nasal condition (including obstructive sleep apnea), and heart condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability, neck disability, and right leg disability (including right lower extremity radiculopathy), finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left upper and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathies, as well as his left and right knee disabilities have been granted initial ratings. The TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and compensation were dismissed due to the death of the claimant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these appeals as the appellant is deceased.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is required due to the Veteran's service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left sciatica, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a left shoulder disability due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radiculopathy, left upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radulopathy, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuropathy, and left arm ulnar neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. Service connection for PTSD due to MST was granted.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain with history of herniated disc.

The Veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left lower extremity radiculopathies are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetic nephropathy, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbar spondylosis with radiculopathy, posterior tibialis tenosynovitis of the right ankle, and arthritis of the right knee have been granted. The kidney condition is secondary to hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for sciatic radiculopathy and service connection for GERD are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and sciatic nerve disability due to incomplete consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding in-service incurrence of symptoms.