Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2022

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy has worsened since the last VA examination, and his TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the claims for increased ratings. The Board remanded these matters to allow for further evaluation of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected back disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The appeal for service connection for a right hip disorder is dismissed. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is granted, and entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder is granted. The rating for cervical spine disability is remanded, as are ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The issue of TDIU prior to November 3, 2011, is also remanded.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied, with the right lower extremity rated at 40 percent since January 4, 2015. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder was also denied an increased rating beyond 40 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability on an extraschedular basis, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to issues related to service connection for a back disorder and sciatic nerve pain. The dental disability claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, citing issues with missing VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records that may be relevant to substantiating his claim.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, and chronic mycotic infection of the left foot.,Service connection was also remanded for bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his shell fragment wound scar was denied, and the appeal for an earlier effective date was also denied. The Board found that the disability is primarily manifest by sensory disturbance, loss of reflexes, and pain, warranting a 20% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment since September 1, 2017. Effective September 1, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back disability and left leg sciatica due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's neck disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with left cervical radiculopathy, had its onset during his active-duty service and is now granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the specific nature and etiology of the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, including cervical spondylosis. The Veteran seeks service connection for this condition, which was not previously granted.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy due to femoral nerve dysfunction is granted service connection. Service connection for other peripheral nerve disorders involving the popliteal, musculocutaneous, anterior tibial, posterior tibial, internal popliteal, and internal saphenous nerves is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus has been assigned a 10 percent evaluation throughout the appeal period, which is the maximum rating authorized for tinnitus under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral hearing loss and contends that his current hearing loss was caused by in-service exposure to excessive noise. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the current hearing loss disability is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, neck disability, and back disability. The VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of these disabilities is inadequate, and a new medical opinion should be obtained on remand.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating for cervical spine disability, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board denies his claim for a TDIU.